What is the average IQ in Bulgaria?

The average IQ in Bulgaria is approximately 95, based on Becker (2019) (2019). This ranks Bulgaria #52 out of 195 countries in our dataset. This score is considered above average on the global scale.

How does Bulgaria's IQ compare to other Europe countries?

Bulgaria ranks among the higher-scoring countries in Europe. Other Europe countries with similar scores include Greece (95), Romania (96).

What factors influence IQ scores in Bulgaria?

Key factors include: education quality and access (11.4 average years of schooling), literacy rate (98%), economic development (GDP per capita of $27,570), healthcare access (HDI: 0.795), nutrition, and urbanization levels. These environmental factors significantly affect measured cognitive test performance.

Is the IQ score for Bulgaria reliable?

The score of 95 is an estimate based on Becker (2019) (2019). Like all national IQ estimates, it has limitations including varying sample sizes, potential cultural test bias, and the fact that within-country variation is always much larger than between-country differences. It should be interpreted as a rough approximation, not a precise measurement.

Average IQ in Bulgaria

Bulgaria has an average IQ of 95, ranking #52 out of 195 countries globally. This is considered above average on the worldwide scale.

Average IQ Score

Above Average (95–99) · Rank #52 of 195

Source: Becker (2019) (2019)

Key Statistics

Population

6,700,000

GDP per Capita (PPP)

$27,570

World Bank, 2023

Literacy Rate

98%

UNESCO, 2023

Human Development Index

0.795

UNDP, 2023

Mean Years of Schooling

11.4

Adults 25+

Education Expenditure

3.9%

% of GDP

Education System in Bulgaria

Bulgaria provides 12 years of compulsory education (starting age 4). The country has strong traditions in mathematics and science, with competitive international math olympiad teams.

IQ and Economic Development

Bulgaria's GDP per capita of $27,570 indicates a middle-to-upper income economy. Research shows a moderate correlation (r ≈ 0.7) between national GDP and measured IQ, though this relationship is complex and bidirectional.

With 11.4 average years of schooling and a 3.9% GDP investment in education, Bulgaria has room to increase education investment relative to GDP.

Countries with Similar IQ Scores

Europe Rankings

#	Country	Avg IQ
1	Finland	103
2	Netherlands	103
3	Germany	103
4	Switzerland	103
5	Austria	102
6	United Kingdom	102
7	Sweden	102
8	Italy	102
9	Estonia	102
10	Iceland	102

Data Sources for Bulgaria

IQ Score:Becker (2019) (2019) (from the NIQ Dataset v1.3.3, the most comprehensive meta-analysis of national cognitive testing studies).

GDP & Education Spending:World Bank (2023)

HDI & Schooling:UNDP Human Development Report (2023–2024)

Literacy Rate:UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2023)

Population:UN World Population Prospects (2024)

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.