Malaysia has been ranked 21st among the world’s smartest countries based on average global IQ scores, reflecting a competitive level of intellectual capability on the international stage.
According to the International IQ Test 2025, Malaysia recorded an average IQ score of 100.48, placing it ahead of several developed nations.
The ranking saw China take the top spot with a score of 107.19, followed by South Korea at 106.43 and Japan at 106.4, highlighting the strong dominance of Asian countries in the upper tier.
Other nations in the top 10 include Iran, Singapore, Russia, Mongolia, Armenia, Australia and Spain.
Across Asia, several countries also posted notable results, including Vietnam (100.12), Thailand (101.52) and India (99.08), reinforcing the region’s growing presence in global intelligence assessments.
However, experts caution that IQ scores alone do not fully determine a nation’s capabilities, as factors such as education systems, cultural influences and access to opportunities also play a crucial role in shaping overall potential.
Overall, the rankings indicate that countries in Asia and Europe continue to dominate the higher positions in global IQ standings.