Average IQ in North Korea
North Korea has an average IQ of 102, ranking #15 out of 195 countries globally. This is considered high on the worldwide scale.
Compare North Korea with similar countries
North Korea's average is 102. Open nearby profiles to see how the ranking, education data, and methodology compare.
Key Statistics
Education System in North Korea
North Korea mandates 12 years of free compulsory education with a heavy emphasis on science, mathematics, and ideological instruction. Claims near-universal literacy.
Note: Extremely limited independent data. Estimates extrapolated from South Korean and regional data. Economic indicators are rough approximations due to state secrecy.
IQ and Economic Development
North Korea's GDP per capita of $1,800 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 11 average years of schooling and a 6.4% GDP investment in education, North Korea invests heavily in its education system compared to global norms.
Asia Rankings
| # | Country | Avg IQ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 108 |
| 2 | Japan | 106 |
| 3 | South Korea | 106 |
| 4 | China | 106 |
| 5 | Mongolia | 101 |
| 6 | Israel | 100 |
| 7 | Vietnam | 99 |
| 8 | Kazakhstan | 96 |
| 9 | Malaysia | 95 |
| 10 | Georgia | 94 |
Data Sources for North Korea
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
Country averages answer curiosity. If the question behind your search is really about your own path, start with our career aptitude test guide — what these tests measure, what they miss, and how to use one well.
Where a number like this actually leads
A national average says little about any individual. What a score does predict is the kind of work it suits — that is the question the career tools answer.
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