What is the average IQ in Malawi?

The average IQ in Malawi is approximately 69, based on Becker (2019) (2019). This ranks Malawi #190 out of 195 countries in our dataset. This score is considered below the global average on the global scale.

How does Malawi's IQ compare to other Africa countries?

Malawi ranks among the lower-scoring countries in Africa. Other Africa countries with similar scores include Burundi (69), Benin (70), Central African Republic (68).

What factors influence IQ scores in Malawi?

Key factors include: education quality and access (4.6 average years of schooling), literacy rate (62%), economic development (GDP per capita of $1,590), healthcare access (HDI: 0.508), nutrition, and urbanization levels. These environmental factors significantly affect measured cognitive test performance.

Is the IQ score for Malawi reliable?

The score of 69 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 Malawi

Malawi has an average IQ of 69, ranking #190 out of 195 countries globally. This is considered below the global average on the worldwide scale.

Average IQ Score

Below 80 (Below 80) · Rank #190 of 195

Source: Becker (2019) (2019)

Key Statistics

Population

20,400,000

GDP per Capita (PPP)

$1,590

World Bank, 2023

Literacy Rate

62%

UNESCO, 2023

Human Development Index

0.508

UNDP, 2023

Mean Years of Schooling

4.6

Adults 25+

Education Expenditure

3.7%

% of GDP

Education System in Malawi

Malawi introduced free primary education in 1994, dramatically increasing enrollment. Instruction is in Chichewa and English, with high student-to-teacher ratios remaining a challenge.

IQ and Economic Development

Malawi's GDP per capita of $1,590 reflects a lower-income economy. Research shows a moderate correlation (r ≈ 0.7) between national GDP and measured IQ, though this relationship is complex and bidirectional.

With 4.6 average years of schooling and a 3.7% GDP investment in education, Malawi has room to increase education investment relative to GDP.

Countries with Similar IQ Scores

Central African Republic

Africa Rankings

#	Country	Avg IQ
1	Mauritius	92
2	Morocco	87
3	Tunisia	87
4	Egypt	86
5	Algeria	86
6	Seychelles	86
7	Libya	85
8	South Africa	84
9	Nigeria	84
10	Madagascar	84

Data Sources for Malawi

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.