Malaysia ranks third in Southeast Asia for average IQ

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia has emerged as the country with the third-highest average IQ in Southeast Asia, according to a comprehensive study conducted in 2023.

Based on data from the International IQ Test, which analysed responses from 1,691,740 individuals worldwide, Malaysia secured an average IQ score of 99.55.

This marks a significant improvement from the previous year's score of 99.07, reflecting the nation's cognitive progress.

The study included 19,565 Malaysian participants, providing a robust sample size for an accurate representation.

Leading the Southeast Asian rankings, Singapore scored an impressive 106.18, placing it fifth globally.

Vietnam followed with a commendable score, securing the second spot in the region.

Despite Malaysia's third-place standing, its performance is notable within the broader context of Southeast Asia, where it surpassed many of its regional counterparts.

Globally, Malaysia ranked 38th among 115 countries.

South Korea topped the international list with a score of 107.54, followed by China with 106.99 and Iran with 106.84.

The study's findings also highlighted a general trend where average IQ scores tend to be higher in East Asia, slightly above average in regions such as Europe, Western Asia, Oceania, North America, and North Africa, and below average in Central and Southern Africa and Latin America.

This pattern suggested varying factors influencing cognitive development across different geographical areas.

An interesting aspect of the study was the emphasis on traits commonly found among individuals with high IQs, particularly those considered "gifted" with scores above 130.

These traits include a strong curiosity and desire to learn, high levels of perfectionism, and an intense interest in specific subjects.

Such characteristics often translate to better performance in intellectual activities.