What is the average IQ in Uruguay?

The average IQ in Uruguay is approximately 98, based on Becker (2019) (2019). This ranks Uruguay #43 out of 195 countries in our dataset. This score is considered above average on the global scale.

How does Uruguay's IQ compare to other South America countries?

Uruguay ranks among the higher-scoring countries in South America. Other South America countries with similar scores include .

What factors influence IQ scores in Uruguay?

Key factors include: education quality and access (9 average years of schooling), literacy rate (99%), economic development (GDP per capita of $22,910), healthcare access (HDI: 0.830), nutrition, and urbanization levels. These environmental factors significantly affect measured cognitive test performance.

Is the IQ score for Uruguay reliable?

The score of 98 is an estimate based on Becker (2019) (2019). Like all national IQ estimates, it has limitations including varying sample sizes, potential cultural test bias, and the fact that within-country variation is always much larger than between-country differences. It should be interpreted as a rough approximation, not a precise measurement.

Average IQ in Uruguay

Uruguay has an average IQ of 98, ranking #43 out of 195 countries globally. This is considered above average on the worldwide scale.

Average IQ Score

Above Average (95–99) · Rank #43 of 195

Source: Becker (2019) (2019)

Key Statistics

Population

3,400,000

GDP per Capita (PPP)

$22,910

World Bank, 2023

Literacy Rate

99%

UNESCO, 2023

Human Development Index

0.830

UNDP, 2023

Mean Years of Schooling

Adults 25+

Education Expenditure

4.6%

% of GDP

Education System in Uruguay

Uruguay was a pioneer of free public education in Latin America (1877). The country provides one laptop per child (Plan Ceibal) and has strong traditions in education equity.

IQ and Economic Development

Uruguay's GDP per capita of $22,910 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 9 average years of schooling and a 4.6% GDP investment in education, Uruguay maintains a moderate investment in education.

Countries with Similar IQ Scores

South America Rankings

#	Country	Avg IQ
1	Argentina	96
2	Chile	93
3	Brazil	90
4	Peru	88
5	Colombia	87
6	Venezuela	87
7	Bolivia	87
8	Paraguay	87
9	Ecuador	84
10	Suriname	80

Data Sources for Uruguay

IQ Score:Becker (2019) (2019) (from the NIQ Dataset v1.3.3, the most comprehensive meta-analysis of national cognitive testing studies).

GDP & Education Spending:World Bank (2023)

HDI & Schooling:UNDP Human Development Report (2023–2024)

Literacy Rate:UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2023)

Population:UN World Population Prospects (2024)

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.