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.
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.
Countries with Similar IQ Scores
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
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