Top 10 Countries With Lowest IQ In The World: Nepal, Ghana And More

Countries With Lowest IQ: The concept of Intelligence Quotient (IQ) has been the topic of discussion for decades now, with many debates regarding its validity and applicability. Despite such debates, IQ scores are still utilised as a firm indicator of cognitive skills in many populations around the world. In recent times, several reports have identified countries that have some of the lowest average IQ scores in the world. This article discusses the top 10 nations with the lowest average IQs, with a focus on Nepal, Ghana and other countries that are highly ranked on this list.

What are Average IQ Scores?

Average IQ scores are determined using standardised tests or surveys which are made to measure different elements of intelligence like the ability to reason and solve problems. The average for the world is usually said to be about 100 points. But all these factors such as nutrition, quality of education, access to healthcare, economic status, and environmental determinants have a profound influence on these scores.

Top 10 Countries With Lowest Average IQ Scores

Here's an in-detail list of the top 10 countries with some of the lowest average IQ scores as per the World Population Review report:

1. Nepal

Nepal is the country with the lowest IQ globally, which is approximately 42.99. The country faces significant challenges due to poverty, lack of proper nutrition, under-resourced schools, and political instability affecting education and cognitive development.

2. Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone, often recognised for its challenges including civil war, Ebola outbreaks and poverty leads to limited access to education and healthcare, which holds the unfortunate distinction of having the second lowest average IQ in the world, estimated at approximately 45.07.

3. Liberia

Liberia's low average IQ of 45.07 is attributed to decades of civil war and political instability, which is disrupting its education system and access to quality healthcare.

4. Guatemala

Guatemala’s population has an average IQ of 47.72 as it struggles with poverty, malnutrition, and inadequate educational resources, especially in rural areas.

5. Cape Verde

Cape Verde ranks at the fifth position on the list of 10 countries with low IQ. Historical deprivation, poverty limited access to healthcare, immigration and unemployment severely impact cognitive development in this country in Africa with an average IQ of 52.5.

6. Gambia

The Gambia faces issues like poverty, malnutrition an underfunded education system. The cultural views also often deprioritise formal schooling, which explains the average of 52.68 in this country.

7. Nicaragua

Nicaragua's low score of 52.69 for low IQ stems from poverty and unemployment that led children to work instead of attending poorly resourced schools, especially in rural areas.

8. Guinea

Guinea’s challenges include poverty malnutrition an underdeveloped education system alongside cultural factors that affect formal schooling access to poor populations which all lead to an average IQ of 53.48.

9. Ghana

Poverty disparities between urban and rural education systems despite recent improvements contribute to Ghana’s relatively lower score of 58.16 average IQ compared to other nations globally.

10. Ivory Coast

The widespread poverty and malnutrition of children and underfunded schools especially in rural areas are key factors of low IQ in the Ivory Coast.

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