Sri Lanka has emerged as the South Asian country with the highest average IQ, registering a score of 102 in 2025, according to data from the International IQ Test (IIT). This places the country among the top 12 nations globally for average IQ.
The study analyzed responses from over 1.35 million participants worldwide who completed the same IQ test online. For Sri Lanka, 2,840 participants were evaluated. Globally, China topped the list with an average IQ of 107, while the worldwide average stood at 100.
Experts note that a country’s average IQ is influenced by multiple factors, including the quality of education, access to healthcare, dietary habits, and cultural engagement in intellectually stimulating activities. For example, recent studies have linked good nutrition in children to higher IQ scores, while activities like chess, bilingualism, and other cognitive exercises have been shown to boost intelligence levels. Genetics also play a role, accounting for 50–80% of IQ variation in individuals, according to prior twin studies.
“Countries that support healthy living, provide quality education, and encourage intellectual engagement among citizens tend to see higher average IQs,” the IIT report noted.
