A global comparison of average IQ scores places Greece below the world average, according to international research examining cognitive performance across nearly 200 countries.
The analysis ranks Greece 54th out of 199 countries, with an estimated average IQ score of 90.77. The global average is typically set at 100.
Researchers say such comparisons are widely used to study cognitive performance across populations, although they emphasize that IQ does not represent a complete measure of intelligence.
Asia leads global rankings
According to the data, countries in East Asia consistently record the highest average IQ scores.
Japan ranks at the top of the global list with an average score exceeding 106. Other high-ranking countries include Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and South Korea.
Researchers attribute these results partly to education systems that place strong emphasis on mathematics and science, as well as long study hours and additional academic programs outside the classroom.
Cultural traditions that emphasize discipline, diligence and academic achievement also play a role in shaping educational outcomes in the region.
Countries with lower scores
At the other end of the scale, the lowest average scores are recorded mainly in countries facing high levels of poverty and limited access to education.
Nepal appears in some studies as having the lowest national average IQ, followed by Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guatemala and Cape Verde.
Researchers point to factors such as malnutrition, shorter school attendance, limited healthcare access and broader economic challenges as contributing influences.
Europe’s mixed picture
Within Europe, some of the highest scores are reported in countries in the northern and eastern parts of the continent.
Belarus ranks among the top in Europe, a result researchers often link to a strong educational tradition that places significant emphasis on science and mathematics.
Finland also performs strongly, although its educational model differs. Finnish schools focus less on intense exam pressure and more on equality, creativity and student autonomy.
Greece’s position
Greece’s ranking reflects a combination of strengths and challenges, according to analysts who study international IQ comparisons.
On the positive side, the country benefits from widespread literacy, universal healthcare and a traditional Mediterranean diet rich in fish, olive oil and vegetables—factors that support overall brain health.
However, economic pressures following the financial crisis of the 2010s and the migration of young professionals abroad have affected the country’s long-term educational and innovation landscape.
Researchers also note that the Greek education system often prioritizes vocational training and immediate employment opportunities over innovation-driven skills.
In addition, limited emphasis on structured programs that develop creativity and critical thinking may affect performance in standardized tests that measure cognitive abilities.
IQ comparisons remain debated
Experts caution that national IQ rankings should not be interpreted as definitive measures of a country’s intelligence.
Most researchers agree that cognitive performance is shaped by a wide range of factors, including education quality, economic conditions, healthcare access and broader social policies.
For that reason, international comparisons are often viewed less as a ranking of intelligence and more as an indicator of how investments in education, health and social development can influence a population’s cognitive outcomes.
