The Top 5 Countries in Asia with the Highest IQs

It’s no secret that Asia has a reputation for hosting some of the highest IQs in the world. Recently, there has been data provided by Wiqtcom Inc., a Finnish organization, to determine the highest IQs by country. So, what are the countries in Asia with the highest IQs?

Below, we’ll take a look at the highest-ranking countries in Asia and what scores they had on average. In addition, we’ll look at other factors that influenced this, such as the testing methods and why these countries might have had higher IQs than others.

What Is IQ and How Is It Calculated?

The term “IQ” stands for intelligence quotient and is one means of measuring human intelligence. The tests measure short and long-term memory, puzzle- and problem-solving skills, and memory. In addition, they also test visual, mathematical, and language abilities, plus information processing speeds.

The concept of IQ was invented by Alfred Binet in 1904 and uses the equation mental age/chronological age x 100. IQ tests use a series of questions to help determine their overall intelligence. The calculated results will be the test takers’ overall IQ score.

What Impacts IQ Score Results?

Many tests have been criticized for their design and the calculated results. Specifically, the 2019 IQ test conducted by the Ulster Institute has sparked considerable debate. Researchers dispute that the methods used in the study were that estimates were calculated when hard data was lacking. In addition, the test misinterpreted data to support conclusions that might support white supremacy.

In addition to that, another essential factor that can affect the results is how many people take the test. If there is a small pool of test takers, the results might not represent an entire country. So, enough test takers need to participate to get accurate results.

Lastly, environmental, physical, and geographical factors can impact the overall results of an IQ test. Participants who don’t have proper education, learning resources, or healthcare and nutrition can end up ranking lower than those who do. Therefore, it’s essential to consider these factors when looking over worldwide results.

#1: Taiwan – 116.07 Average IQ

Currently, the country in Asia with the highest IQs is Taiwan. The average score on Wiqtcom Inc.’s official IQ test by Taiwanese people averaged 116.07. Some argue that the results were slightly skewed because a low number of tests were taken in the country. Even if more tests were taken, Taiwan would still be in the top three highest scores worldwide, which is a feat on its own.

#2: Japan – 112.69 Average IQ

The second country in Asia with the highest IQ is Japan. In the previous 2019 worldwide IQ test conducted by the Ulster Institute, Japan ranked number one with an average of 106.49. Despite that, in 2023, the average IQ has increased by nearly six points but has landed Japan in the second slot.

#3: South Korea – 111.36 Average IQ

South Korea is the third country in Asia with the highest IQs, boasting an average of 111.36. The country previously had an average score of 102.35 and sat at the sixth rank worldwide. Today, it shows that South Korea has climbed the charts and now sits at the fourth rank worldwide.

#4: Hong Kong – 111.01 Average IQ

Hong Kong is a special administrative region in China and, therefore, can be counted as its own country. The results show that in 2019 Hong Kong residents had an average of 105.37. In the newer test, the averages changed to 111.01. This is a slight increase of 5.64 points. The country was ranked number four worldwide but now ranks sixth most intelligent country according to IQ.

#5: Vietnam – 109.37 Average IQ

Previously, Vietnam was not even ranked in the top ten countries and had an average score of 89.53. With the newer test, Vietnam now ranks ninth worldwide for Asia’s highest average IQ score. The score recorded with the Worldwide IQ Test showed that Vietnam’s average was 109.37. This is a 19.84-point increase from the previous year. While this seems like a lot, many factors, such as test availability and more Vietnamese interest in IQ testing, can impact this score.

Why Do Asian Countries Have High IQ Scores?

While not all Asian countries function the same, many of them do have a high focus on education and test-taking. Countries such as South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and China have excellent education systems that are much more competitive than other countries. In addition, Asian country’s tests scores matter. 

For example, a low test score in high school won’t determine how well a person does in the United States. In Asian countries, a low test score can affect what colleges accept them despite having excellent grades.

Lastly, Asian countries also have a stronger study culture. Students are expected to put in extra effort outside of school, with some even attending after-school classes and tutoring. The added pressure to keep up even outside of classroom hours drives students to do well academically.

Summary Countries in Asia With Highest IQs

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