To preempt howls of protest about the various biases of IQ tests, I direct readers to a thoughtful article on the issues here . These figures are from a study called IQ and the Wealth of Nations by Lynn and Vanhanen and there's a critique of this book here .
So: we live in the "smartest place in the world"! Hong Kong, whoopee!
There's another thing a veteran JWatcher can't help but notice: the high correlation between Islamic countries and poor IQ performance (these are marked in grey). This is nothing to do with race or ethnicity, as Islam is not a race. It does have to do, however, with the influence of Islam on the wealth of these nations: for in the doctrine on Islam, "innovation" is haram (forbidden) and the specific lack of -- or at least weakness of -- the rule of law (for the ultimate law is that of Allah), have surely contributed to their poor performance. Indeed, the Arab Development Report makes this point, though only touching lightly on the issue of Islam. For me, I can't see how it can't be relevant: when you discriminate against half your population (women), suppress free speech, are wary of democracy and free markets, and prefer the rule of Sharia to the rule of law.
(Of course, I can see that not all the poor performers are Islamic countries. There are many reasons for poor performance. I just say that Islam is a key factor in those countries that are Islamic. Or: being a free non-Islamic country is a necessary, but not sufficient reason, for higher IQ scores.
(BTW: I did not know that the average score in the world is not 100 but 92). Read the references above for a lot more about this complex and vexed topic of IQ scores, their strengths, weaknesses and biases).
(Of course, I can see that not all the poor performers are Islamic countries. There are many reasons for poor performance. I just say that Islam is a key factor in those countries that are Islamic. Or: being a free non-Islamic country is a necessary, but not sufficient reason, for higher IQ scores.
(BTW: I did not know that the average score in the world is not 100 but 92). Read the references above for a lot more about this complex and vexed topic of IQ scores, their strengths, weaknesses and biases).
| Hong Kong (PRC) | 107 |
| South Korea | 106 |
| Japan | 105 |
| Taiwan (ROC) | 104 |
| Singapore | 103 |
| Austria | 102 |
| Germany | 102 |
| Italy | 102 |
| Netherlands | 102 |
| Sweden | 101 |
| Switzerland | 101 |
| Belgium | 100 |
| China (PRC) | 100 |
| New Zealand | 100 |
| United Kingdom | 100 |
| Hungary | 99 |
| Poland | 99 |
| Australia | 98 |
| Denmark | 98 |
| France | 98 |
| Norway | 98 |
| United States | 98 |
| Canada | 97 |
| Czech Republic | 97 |
| Finland | 97 |
| Spain | 97 |
| Argentina | 96 |
| Russia | 96 |
| Slovakia | 96 |
| Uruguay | 96 |
| Portugal | 95 |
| Slovenia | 95 |
| Israel | 94 |
| Romania | 94 |
| Bulgaria | 93 |
| Ireland | 93 |
| Greece | 92 |
| Malaysia | 92 |
| Thailand | 91 |
| Croatia | 90 |
| Peru | 90 |
| Turkey | 90 |
| Indonesia | 89 |
| Suriname | 89 |
| Colombia | 89 |
| Brazil | 87 |
| Iraq | 87 |
| Mexico | 87 |
| Samoa | 87 |
| Tonga | 87 |
| Lebanon | 86 |
| Philippines | 86 |
| Cuba | 85 |
| Morocco | 85 |
| Fiji | 84 |
| Iran | 84 |
| Marshall Islands | 84 |
| Puerto Rico (US) | 84 |
| Egypt | 83 |
| India | 81 |
| Ecuador | 80 |
| Guatemala | 79 |
| Barbados | 78 |
| Nepal | 78 |
| Qatar | 78 |
| Zambia | 77 |
| Congo-Brazzaville | 73 |
| Uganda | 73 |
| Jamaica | 72 |
| Kenya | 72 |
| South Africa | 72 |
| Sudan | 72 |
| Tanzania | 72 |
| Ghana | 71 |
| Nigeria | 67 |
| Guinea | 66 |
| Zimbabwe | 66 |
| Congo-Kinshasa | 65 |
| Sierra Leone | 64 |
| Ethiopia | 63 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 59 |
