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.
Key Statistics
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
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
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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