Average IQ in South Korea
South Korea has an average IQ of 106, ranking #4 out of 195 countries globally. This is considered very high on the worldwide scale.
Compare South Korea with similar countries
South Korea's average is 106. Open nearby profiles to see how the ranking, education data, and methodology compare.
Key Statistics
Education System in South Korea
South Korea's education system emphasizes academic excellence with intense competition for university entrance. The country has one of the highest rates of tertiary education attainment globally.
IQ and Economic Development
South Korea's GDP per capita of $44,200 places it among the world's wealthier nations. Research shows a moderate correlation (r ≈ 0.7) between national GDP and measured IQ, though this relationship is complex and bidirectional.
With 12.5 average years of schooling and a 4.7% GDP investment in education, South Korea maintains a moderate investment in education.
Asia Rankings
| # | Country | Avg IQ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 108 |
| 2 | Japan | 106 |
| 3 | China | 106 |
| 4 | North Korea | 102 |
| 5 | Mongolia | 101 |
| 6 | Israel | 100 |
| 7 | Vietnam | 99 |
| 8 | Kazakhstan | 96 |
| 9 | Malaysia | 95 |
| 10 | Georgia | 94 |
Data Sources for South 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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