What is the average IQ in China?

The average IQ in China is approximately 106, based on Becker (2019) (2019). This ranks China #2 out of 195 countries in our dataset. This score is considered very high on the global scale.

How does China's IQ compare to other Asia countries?

China ranks among the higher-scoring countries in Asia. Other Asia countries with similar scores include Japan (106), South Korea (106), Singapore (108).

What factors influence IQ scores in China?

Key factors include: education quality and access (7.6 average years of schooling), literacy rate (97%), economic development (GDP per capita of $21,400), healthcare access (HDI: 0.788), nutrition, and urbanization levels. These environmental factors significantly affect measured cognitive test performance.

Is the IQ score for China reliable?

The score of 106 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 China

China has an average IQ of 106, ranking #2 out of 195 countries globally. This is considered very high on the worldwide scale.

106

Average IQ Score

Very High (105+) · Rank #2 of 195

Source: Becker (2019) (2019)

Key Statistics

Population

1,425,000,000

GDP per Capita (PPP)

$21,400

World Bank, 2023

Literacy Rate

97%

UNESCO, 2023

Human Development Index

0.788

UNDP, 2023

Mean Years of Schooling

7.6

Adults 25+

Education Expenditure

3.6%

% of GDP

Education System in China

China's education system follows a 6-3-3 structure with mandatory 9-year compulsory education. PISA scores from select provinces (Shanghai, Beijing) rank among the world's highest, though national averages vary significantly by region.

Note: IQ data primarily from urban, eastern provinces. Rural and western regions may have different averages.

IQ and Economic Development

China's GDP per capita of $21,400 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 7.6 average years of schooling and a 3.6% GDP investment in education, China 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	North Korea	102
5	Mongolia	101
6	Israel	100
7	Vietnam	99
8	Kazakhstan	96
9	Malaysia	95
10	Georgia	94

Data Sources for China

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.