Average IQ in Panama
Panama has an average IQ of 87, ranking #93 out of 195 countries globally. This is considered below average on the worldwide scale.
Key Statistics
Education System in Panama
Panama provides 6 years of compulsory primary education. The Canal Zone historically provided higher-quality education, creating lasting disparities between urban and rural areas.
IQ and Economic Development
Panama's GDP per capita of $30,890 indicates a middle-to-upper income economy. Research shows a moderate correlation (r ≈ 0.7) between national GDP and measured IQ, though this relationship is complex and bidirectional.
With 10.2 average years of schooling and a 3.2% GDP investment in education, Panama has room to increase education investment relative to GDP.
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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 | Dominican Republic | 85 |
| 7 | Honduras | 84 |
| 8 | Trinidad and Tobago | 83 |
| 9 | Guatemala | 83 |
| 10 | El Salvador | 83 |
Data Sources for Panama
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
See where your own score lands.
Panama's average is an estimate from limited data. Your own number is something you can measure: take the free 50-question IQ test for your exact score and where you land against every country on this map.