Average IQ in El Salvador
El Salvador has an average IQ of 83, ranking #129 out of 195 countries globally. This is considered below average on the worldwide scale.
Key Statistics
Education System in El Salvador
El Salvador provides 9 years of compulsory education. The country has made progress in expanding access since the end of its civil war, though quality gaps remain.
IQ and Economic Development
El Salvador's GDP per capita of $10,050 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 7.1 average years of schooling and a 3.6% GDP investment in education, El Salvador has room to increase education investment relative to GDP.
Countries with Similar IQ Scores
North America Rankings
| # | Country | Avg IQ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada | 101 |
| 2 | United States | 100 |
| 3 | Mexico | 90 |
| 4 | Costa Rica | 89 |
| 5 | Cuba | 88 |
| 6 | Panama | 87 |
| 7 | Dominican Republic | 85 |
| 8 | Honduras | 84 |
| 9 | Trinidad and Tobago | 83 |
| 10 | Guatemala | 83 |
Data Sources for El Salvador
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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