Discover the Top 10 Most Intelligent Countries Worldwide

1. Taiwan

Republic of China is a constitutional republic recognized for its limited territory in East Asia. Today, due to various political complexities, it is also referred to as Taiwan or Taiwan, China.

Taiwan is located in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, between the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and the Philippines, separated from the Eurasian landmass by the Taiwan Strait, with an area of approximately 36,000 km². It ranks as the 38th largest island in the world, with about 70% of its area covered by hills and mountains, while the plains are concentrated on the western coast.

Republic of China is a constitutional republic recognized for its limited territory in East Asia. Today, due to various political complexities, it is also referred to as Taiwan or Taiwan, China.

Taiwan is located in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, between the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and the Philippines, separated from the Eurasian landmass by the Taiwan Strait, with an area of approximately 36,000 km². It ranks as the 38th largest island in the world, with about 70% of its area covered by hills and mountains, while the plains are concentrated on the western coast.

2. China

China is a sovereign nation in East Asia. It holds the title of being the most populous country globally, with a population exceeding 1.405 billion individuals. Governed as a single-party state by the Communist Party of China, its central government resides in the capital city of Beijing.

The government of China exercises judicial authority over 22 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, 4 directly-controlled municipalities, and 2 special administrative regions: Hong Kong and Macau. China also asserts sovereignty over all territories managed by the Republic of China (Taiwan) and unilaterally proclaims this island as its 23rd province (despite lacking actual control), a policy generating considerable controversy due to its intricacy and its role in Taiwan's geopolitical status. Encompassing an expansive landmass of approximately 9,596,961 square kilometers, China ranks as the fourth largest country in the world by land area and the third or fourth largest by total area, contingent on measurement methodology. Its diverse landscape spans from arid northern plains, including the Gobi and Taklamakan Deserts, to lush tropical forests in the south receiving higher precipitation.

The natural boundaries of China include the Himalayas, Karakoram, Pamir, and Tian Shan mountain ranges, separating it from South and Central Asia. The Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, respectively the third and sixth longest rivers globally, originate from the Tibetan Plateau and flow eastward towards densely populated coastal regions. China's coastline along the Pacific Ocean extends for 14,500 kilometers, bordering the Bohai, Yellow, East China, and South China Seas. Often hailed as the cradle of civilization, China boasts numerous inventions, underscoring its status as a haven for intellectual prowess. According to research conducted by the Intelligence Research Institute, the average IQ score of the Chinese populace stands at 100.

When it comes to Japan, you're likely to immediately think of the disciplined, conscientious, hardworking Japanese people who never fail to impress the world with their smallest actions. Japan (日本) is an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, its territory comprising a vast archipelago surrounded by seas. The Japanese archipelago consists of 5 main islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Okinawa, Kyushu, and Shikoku.

Japan's territory on the map is divided into 8 regions: Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, and the island of Hokkaido. Japan has a total of 47 prefectures, with Hokkaido Prefecture covering over 83 million m2, while the smallest prefecture, Kagawa, spans just over 1 million m2. This is easily understandable considering Japan's predominantly island terrain, with very little landmass.

The capital of Japan is situated in the heart of the Kanto region. The country's largest population density and urban population are concentrated in metropolitan areas and major cities such as Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Proud to have the highest life expectancy in the world, Japan is a leading nation in scientific and technological research, which also speaks volumes about their intelligence. With a score of 105, Japan ranks as the third smartest country in the world.

Mongolia is a landlocked sovereign nation located in East Asia. The territory of Mongolia roughly corresponds to Outer Mongolia historically, and this term is sometimes still used to refer to the present-day country. Mongolia shares borders with China to the south and Russia to the north.

Mongolia has an area of 1,564,116 square kilometers (603,909 square miles), making it the 18th largest and least densely populated sovereign nation in the world, with a population of around three million people. It is also the second largest landlocked country in the world after Kazakhstan. Mongolia has very little arable land as most of its area is covered by steppes, with mountain ranges to the north and west, and the Gobi Desert lying to the south. Ulaanbaatar is the capital and largest city of Mongolia, home to approximately 45% of the national population.

With a total area of 1,564,116 km2, Mongolia is smaller than the US state of Alaska. With a density of 4 people per square mile, Mongolia currently has the lowest population density of any country in the world. Mongolia may not have developed as many of the other countries on the list, but this landlocked East Asian nation has its surprises. Although animal husbandry and agriculture still play a significant role in its economy, Mongolia prides itself on having an average IQ equivalent to Norway, the United States, France, Denmark, and Australia.

Italy is a unitary parliamentary republic in Europe. Its territory stretches into the central part of the Mediterranean, with its two largest islands being Sicily and Sardinia. The Alps form the northern boundary of Italy, creating land borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, while San Marino and Vatican City lie within the republic. Italy covers an area of 301,338 km², with mostly temperate seasonal and Mediterranean climates. Due to its boot-like shape, Italy is often likened to 'Lo Stivale' (the Boot). Italy's population reaches around 60 million, making it the third most populous country in the European Union. The capital of Italy is Rome, with other major urban areas including Milan, Naples, and Turin.

By the 1st century BC, the Roman Empire emerged as a dominant force in the Mediterranean basin, becoming a center of leadership in culture, politics, and religion in ancient times. The legacy of this empire is widespread and can be seen in civil law, republican governance, Christianity, and the Latin alphabet globally. In the early Middle Ages, Italian society-politics collapsed during the process of barbarian invasions, but by the 11th century, many city-states and maritime republics, primarily in northern and central Italy, became prosperous through maritime transportation, trade, and banking, laying the groundwork for modern capitalism.

However, much of central Italy remained under the control of the Papal States, while southern Italy was continuously conquered by external forces. The Renaissance began in Italy and spread throughout the rest of Europe. Italian culture flourished during this period, producing renowned scholars, artists, and scholars. With Italy's significant contributions in various fields, from science and technology to the arts, it's no surprise that the country has made it into the top 10 of surveys. The average IQ in Italy is 102.

The country Austria, known as Republik Österreich in German. Its official name is the Republic of Austria. This nation comprises 9 states (Bundesländer). The capital of Austria is Vienna, its largest city. The land area of this country is 83,879 km², and it has a population of nearly 9 million people. While German is the official language of the country, many Austrians communicate unofficially in the local Bavarian dialect.

Austria has a representative democratic parliamentary system. The President, directly elected, serves as the head of state and is the Federal Chancellor, who heads the federal government. Major urban areas in Austria include Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck.

Austria has consistently been ranked among the top 20 wealthiest countries globally by GDP per capita. The country has achieved a high standard of living and was ranked 20th globally in the Human Development Index in 2018. Vienna is consistently ranked in the international top for quality of life indices. While Austria has a much smaller population and land area compared to its neighbor Germany, in terms of living standards, prosperity, education, and other socio-economic fields, they are no less than their German counterparts. In a study by the Institute of Statistical Intelligence Research, Austria achieved similar results – 102 points.

The country of Switzerland is one of the most developed nations, ranking first in the world in terms of average wealth (2010) and having the 8th highest GDP per capita according to the IMF (2011). Additionally, this country is also at the forefront globally in national achievements, including government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic competitiveness, and human development. Two renowned cities, Zurich and Geneva, have the highest quality of life globally – according to Mercer (2009). Let's delve deeper into the facts about Switzerland with HISA!

Switzerland's territory spans the Alps in Western-Central Europe, with this mountain range accounting for over 60% of the country's total area. Climate: Switzerland is a country located in the temperate climate zone. Summers tend to be warm with high humidity and rainfall, suitable for grasslands and livestock farming. Winters in the mountain ranges have lower humidity, while in the lowlands, there can be weeks without sunshine.

Tourist destinations: Switzerland boasts incredibly majestic natural beauty as well as priceless architectural, cultural, and historical landmarks. It is an ideal destination for travelers. You can indulge in the beauty of attractions like Lake Geneva, the Lion Monument in Lucerne, the Old Town of Bern, the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, the Trümmelbach Falls, the Aletsch Glacier, and more. Switzerland ranks at the top globally in many measures of national achievement. The country is also renowned for its unique education system, tailoring programs to the needs and abilities of students. Therefore, it's quite understandable why Swiss people are among the smartest in the world.

Norway is a beautiful country located in the Northern Europe region, known for its stunning natural landscapes, ancient architectural landmarks, and the warm hospitality of its people.

Today, Norway is recognized as one of the most prosperous countries in the world, attracting numerous tourists from around the globe. Let's explore some more of the beauty of this country and its language. Norway, officially known as The Kingdom of Norway, is a constitutional monarchy. The name of the country originates from the North Germanic languages and means 'the way leading to the North,' according to Old Norse it is called Nóregr, in Anglo-Saxon it's called Norbweg, and in Medieval Latin it's called Northvegia.

As the first Scandinavian country on this list, Norway is renowned for its high quality of life, being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, and its breathtaking scenery. It's evident that this country is very intelligent with an average IQ score of 98 points.

When it comes to tulip fields, windmills, cheese markets, wooden clogs, Delft Blue pottery, the works of Rembrandt, water management techniques, orange carrots, and modern cities with multicultural communities, we immediately think of the Netherlands, a small country with many world-famous symbols.

The name Netherlands (Dutch: Nederland, English: Netherlands) originates from the land located below sea level, and it's no surprise that up to 40% of the Netherlands is below sea level. Holland is often used as the informal name for the Netherlands, but in fact, Holland refers to the western part of the Netherlands consisting of two provinces, North Holland (Noord-Holland) and South Holland (Zuid-Holland). Over 40% of the Dutch population lives in major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.

Reflecting high living standards and prosperity, the Netherlands is consistently ranked among the happiest countries in the world. Clearly, the Dutch are not only happy and wealthy but also very intelligent – they score 102 points in IQ studies.

The United Kingdom is a sovereign state that existed from 927 to 1707 in the northwest of the European continent. At its height, the United Kingdom stretched to about two-thirds of the southern part of the British Isles (including both England and Wales today) and several remote small islands; currently under the legal jurisdiction of England and Wales. This kingdom shares a land border with the Kingdom of Scotland to the north.

From the land of Engle, which was mispronounced into England by medieval syllable reduction (Engle-land, Engelond). The Latin name is Anglia or land of the Angles, Old French and Anglo-Norman call it Angleterre. From the 14th century, England was used in documents referring to the entire island. In England, there are up to 2.5 million people with their own homes, but they live alone, accounting for 34% or more than 1/3 of the entire population. This proportion has been increasing since the 1990s. The area of England (excluding Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales) is 130,395km², with an estimated population of about 67,886,011 people. The GDP per capita of England is $39,720 per person per year.

The first country to reach 100 points is the United Kingdom. This Western European country remains a significant global power in economics, culture, military, science, and politics. The UK also boasts many prestigious universities and the highest proportion of university or college graduates in the world.