What is the average IQ in Ireland?

The average IQ in Ireland is approximately 98, based on Becker (2019) (2019). This ranks Ireland #41 out of 195 countries in our dataset. This score is considered above average on the global scale.

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

Ireland ranks among the higher-scoring countries in Europe. Other Europe countries with similar scores include Malta (98), Portugal (97), Ukraine (97).

What factors influence IQ scores in Ireland?

Key factors include: education quality and access (12.7 average years of schooling), literacy rate (99%), economic development (GDP per capita of $99,150), healthcare access (HDI: 0.945), nutrition, and urbanization levels. These environmental factors significantly affect measured cognitive test performance.

Is the IQ score for Ireland reliable?

The score of 98 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 Ireland

Ireland has an average IQ of 98, ranking #41 out of 195 countries globally. This is considered above average on the worldwide scale.

Average IQ Score

Above Average (95–99) · Rank #41 of 195

Source: Becker (2019) (2019)

Key Statistics

Population

5,100,000

GDP per Capita (PPP)

$99,150

World Bank, 2023

Literacy Rate

99%

UNESCO, 2023

Human Development Index

0.945

UNDP, 2023

Mean Years of Schooling

12.7

Adults 25+

Education Expenditure

3.1%

% of GDP

Education System in Ireland

Ireland provides free primary and secondary education with the Leaving Certificate exam as a key university entrance pathway. Strong growth in STEM education driven by the technology sector.

IQ and Economic Development

Ireland's GDP per capita of $99,150 places it among the world's wealthier nations. Research shows a moderate correlation (r ≈ 0.7) between national GDP and measured IQ, though this relationship is complex and bidirectional.

With 12.7 average years of schooling and a 3.1% GDP investment in education, Ireland 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 Ireland

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.