What is the average IQ in Colombia?

The average IQ in Colombia is approximately 87, based on Becker (2019) (2019). This ranks Colombia #87 out of 195 countries in our dataset. This score is considered below average on the global scale.

How does Colombia's IQ compare to other South America countries?

Colombia ranks among the higher-scoring countries in South America. Other South America countries with similar scores include .

What factors influence IQ scores in Colombia?

Key factors include: education quality and access (8.5 average years of schooling), literacy rate (95%), economic development (GDP per capita of $16,100), healthcare access (HDI: 0.752), nutrition, and urbanization levels. These environmental factors significantly affect measured cognitive test performance.

Is the IQ score for Colombia reliable?

The score of 87 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 Colombia

Colombia has an average IQ of 87, ranking #87 out of 195 countries globally. This is considered below average on the worldwide scale.

Average IQ Score

Below Average (80–87) · Rank #87 of 195

Source: Becker (2019) (2019)

Key Statistics

Population

51,900,000

GDP per Capita (PPP)

$16,100

World Bank, 2023

Literacy Rate

95%

UNESCO, 2023

Human Development Index

0.752

UNDP, 2023

Mean Years of Schooling

8.5

Adults 25+

Education Expenditure

4.5%

% of GDP

Education System in Colombia

Colombia provides 10 years of compulsory education. The country has expanded access significantly, though quality gaps between urban and rural areas persist.

IQ and Economic Development

Colombia's GDP per capita of $16,100 reflects a developing economy. Research shows a moderate correlation (r ≈ 0.7) between national GDP and measured IQ, though this relationship is complex and bidirectional.

With 8.5 average years of schooling and a 4.5% GDP investment in education, Colombia maintains a moderate investment in education.

Countries with Similar IQ Scores

South America Rankings

#	Country	Avg IQ
1	Uruguay	98
2	Argentina	96
3	Chile	93
4	Brazil	90
5	Peru	88
6	Venezuela	87
7	Bolivia	87
8	Paraguay	87
9	Ecuador	84
10	Suriname	80

Data Sources for Colombia

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.