What Is the Average IQ? By Country, State, Gender & More

The average intelligence quotient (IQ) is between 85 and 115. This number can vary drastically between countries, states, and even geographical regions.

Steven Zauderer
August 4, 2025

What Is The Average IQ?

  1. Most people have an average IQ between 85 and 115.
  2. Around 98% of people have a score below 130.
  3. Just 2% of the population score above that are considered above average.

The average IQ score is between 85 and 115, with scores above or below this indicating above or below average intelligence, respectively. The standard deviation of IQ scores is set at 15, which means that around 68% of people will have an IQ score between 85 and 115.

average iq

What’s The Average IQ In The U.S.?

According to 2019’s The Intelligence of the Nations report, the average IQ in the United States is 97.43, which was calculated using multiple versions of IQ tests as well as detailed sample data regarding socioeconomic and environmental factors.

The state IQ scores were published in 2022.

These were derived from National Assessment of Educational Progress (NEAP) reading and math scores.

  • Alabama: 96.4
  • Alaska: 99.4
  • Arizona: 98.3
  • Arkansas: 97.1
  • California: 97.1
  • Colorado: 101.1
  • Connecticut: 101.2
  • Delaware: 98.7
  • Florida: 98.8
  • Georgia: 98.1
  • Hawaii: 99.2
  • Idaho: 100.5
  • Illinois: 99.4
  • Indiana: 100.6
  • Iowa: 101.1
  • Kansas: 100.5
  • Kentucky: 98.8
  • Louisiana: 95.2
  • Maine: 100.9
  • Maryland: 100
  • Massachusetts: 103.1
  • Michigan: 99.6
  • Minnesota: 102.9
  • Mississippi: 95.8
  • Missouri: 99.5
  • Montana: 101.1
  • Nebraska: 101.2
  • Nevada: 96.6
  • New Hampshire: 103.2
  • New Jersey: 101.0
  • New Mexico: 95.0
  • New York: 98.4
  • North Carolina: 99.5
  • North Dakota: 101.7
  • Ohio: 100.0
  • Oklahoma: 98.2
  • Oregon: 100.3
  • Pennsylvania: 100.2
  • Rhode Island: 99.4
  • South Carolina: 97.8
  • South Dakota: 100.7
  • Tennessee: 98.3
  • Texas: 97.4
  • Utah: 101.5
  • Vermont: 102.2
  • Virginia: 101.2
  • Washington: 101.5
  • West Virginia: 97.2
  • Wisconsin: 101.2
  • Wyoming: 101.7

What Is The Global Average IQ?

A 2010 study looking into IQ and educational attainment scores for 108 nations found that the average IQ across the globe was 89.

The average IQ of countries around the world can range, from Indiana at 76.24 to China at 104.10.

Other examples of average IQ by country from The Intelligence of Nations report include:

  • Finland: 101.20
  • Netherlands: 100.74
  • Germany: 100.74
  • United Kingdom: 99.12
  • United States: 97.43
  • Spain: 93.90
  • Poland: 92.87
  • Mexico: 87.73
  • Colombia: 83.13
  • Egypt: 76.32
  • India: 76.24

What's The Average IQ By Country?

What Is IQ?

IQ, or intelligence quotient, is a measure of a person's cognitive abilities. It is often used to assess a person's intellectual potential and is a key factor in determining their academic and professional success. The average IQ is a term used to describe the average score of a group of people who have taken an IQ test.

IQ tests are designed to measure a range of cognitive abilities, including verbal and nonverbal reasoning, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills. They are typically standardized tests, meaning that they are administered under controlled conditions and scored according to a predetermined set of criteria.

It's important to note that IQ tests are not perfect measures of intelligence. They are influenced by a variety of factors, including cultural and socioeconomic background, education, and even test-taking skills.

Additionally, IQ tests only measure certain aspects of intelligence, such as analytical and logical reasoning, and do not take into account other important factors such as emotional intelligence or creativity.

Despite these limitations, IQ tests remain a popular and widely used tool for assessing intelligence. They are used in a variety of settings, including schools, workplaces, and even the military. However, it's important to remember that IQ scores are just one measure of intelligence and should not be used as the sole determinant of a person's abilities or potential.

In conclusion, the average IQ is a measure of the average score of a group of people who have taken an IQ test. IQ tests are designed to measure a range of cognitive abilities, but they are not perfect measures of intelligence and should be used in conjunction with other measures to assess a person's abilities and potential.

Step-by-step care, made simple

Related articles

41 Nursing Statistics & Demographics: How Many Are There?

Find out how many nurses are in the U.S, demographics, average age of a nurse, and more.

39 Schizophrenia Statistics & Facts (Prevalence)

24 million people have schizophrenia but less than 33% of them receive treatment. These schizophrenia statistics illustrate the prevalence of the disorder.

39 Reading Statistics and Facts You Should Know

Here are the most fascinating reading statistics about books and reading that you probably don’t know.

79 U.S. Pharmaceutical Statistics & Demographics

The U.S. pharmaceutical industry generated $550 billion in revenue in 2021. Find more pharmaceutical statistics below.

90 Mental Illness & Mental Health Statistics Worldwide

1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year. Find more mental illness statistics in this roundup.

55 US Literacy Statistics: Literacy Rate, Average Reading Level

Find the latest U.S. literacy statistics, including the U.S. literacy rate, average reading level, and more.

Most Popular Mobile Games Statistics

Dive into the world of most popular mobile games statistics, trends, and future projections.

Netflix Statistics and Insights: Analyzing the Impact

Unearth key Netflix statistics: from subscriber growth and top content, to financial insights and future outlook.

49 Loneliness Statistics: How Many People are Lonely?

In this roundup of loneliness statistics, we'll show you the most up-to-date loneliness statistics that'll make you want to meet more people.

Lying Statistics & Facts: How Often Do People Lie?

Most people — about 75% of survey respondents — told zero to two lies per day. Find more lying statistics below.

Instagram Statistics: Exploring the Fascinating World

Discover Instagram statistics that reveal user demographics, engagement rates, and business trends.

31 Hearing Loss Statistics, Facts & Prevalence

New hearing loss statistics show that around 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with hearing loss.