Average IQ in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea has an average IQ of 84, ranking #122 out of 195 countries globally. This is considered below average on the worldwide scale.
That's the national average. Where do you rank?
Country averages are estimates built from limited data. Your own score is something you can actually measure — the free test takes about 15 minutes.
Key Statistics
Education System in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is the world's most linguistically diverse country (840+ languages). Education is provided in English, with significant access challenges in remote highland areas.
IQ and Economic Development
Papua New Guinea's GDP per capita of $4,400 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 2% GDP investment in education, Papua New Guinea has room to increase education investment relative to GDP.
Countries with Similar IQ Scores
Oceania Rankings
| # | Country | Avg IQ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 102 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 101 |
| 3 | Fiji | 87 |
| 4 | Samoa | 87 |
| 5 | Tonga | 87 |
| 6 | Kiribati | 84 |
| 7 | Marshall Islands | 84 |
| 8 | Micronesia | 84 |
| 9 | Nauru | 84 |
| 10 | Palau | 84 |
Data Sources for Papua New Guinea
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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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.
Where do you rank?
Papua New Guinea's average is 84. Take the free 15-minute test to see your own score and where you land against every country on this map.