Average IQ in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has an average IQ of 80, ranking #137 out of 195 countries globally. This is considered below average on the worldwide scale.
Key Statistics
Education System in Afghanistan
Afghanistan's education system has faced decades of disruption from conflict. Recent restrictions on girls' education have further limited access. Literacy rates remain among the world's lowest.
IQ and Economic Development
Afghanistan's GDP per capita of $2,150 reflects a lower-income economy. Research shows a moderate correlation (r ≈ 0.7) between national GDP and measured IQ, though this relationship is complex and bidirectional.
With 3.9 average years of schooling and a 3.2% GDP investment in education, Afghanistan has room to increase education investment relative to GDP.
Countries with Similar IQ Scores
Asia Rankings
| # | Country | Avg IQ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 108 |
| 2 | Japan | 106 |
| 3 | South Korea | 106 |
| 4 | China | 106 |
| 5 | North Korea | 102 |
| 6 | Mongolia | 101 |
| 7 | Israel | 100 |
| 8 | Vietnam | 99 |
| 9 | Kazakhstan | 96 |
| 10 | Malaysia | 95 |
Data Sources for Afghanistan
National IQ estimates are approximate and based on meta-analyses of available cognitive testing data (Becker, 2019; Lynn & Vanhanen, 2012; World Population Review, 2025). These scores reflect measured test performance and are influenced by education, nutrition, healthcare, and socioeconomic factors — they do not measure innate intelligence. Within-country variation is much larger than between-country differences. IQ tests developed in Western contexts may not translate fairly across all cultures. Interpret with appropriate caution.
See the full methodology on our main IQ by Country page for complete source descriptions and data quality notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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