Average IQ in United States
United States has an average IQ of 100, ranking #33 out of 195 countries globally. This is considered high on the worldwide scale.
Compare United States with similar countries
United States's average is 100. Open nearby profiles to see how the ranking, education data, and methodology compare.
Key Statistics
Education System in United States
The US has a decentralized education system managed at the state and local level. Features K-12 compulsory education and the world's largest higher education system with diverse pathways.
IQ and Economic Development
United States's GDP per capita of $76,330 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 13.7 average years of schooling and a 5% GDP investment in education, United States maintains a moderate investment in education.
North America Rankings
| # | Country | Avg IQ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada | 101 |
| 2 | Mexico | 90 |
| 3 | Costa Rica | 89 |
| 4 | Cuba | 88 |
| 5 | Panama | 87 |
| 6 | Dominican Republic | 85 |
| 7 | Honduras | 84 |
| 8 | Trinidad and Tobago | 83 |
| 9 | Guatemala | 83 |
| 10 | El Salvador | 83 |
Data Sources for United States
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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