10 SMARTEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD
10. SWITZERLAND
In comparison to the global average IQ of 90, Swiss citizens by comparison have an average
IQ of 101. Their higher intelligence may be a result of their famously unique education
system, that specifically tailors programs according to a student’s needs and abilities.
This way of teaching clearly works well for the country, as the 2016 World Economic Forum
rated Switzerland’s school system the second best in the world.
The country has also helped to pave the way for many notable Nobel Prize laureates including
the world-famous physicist Albert Einstein, who developed his special relativity while
working in Bern.
9. SWEDEN
Sweden excels in most socio-economic categories such as quality of life, health, education,
civil liberties and economic competitiveness. So it’s no wonder this Scandinavian country
ranks 9thamong the most intelligent nations of the world.
In October 2015, The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, also known as
the OECD, released its Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard report, which ranked
Sweden 3rd, with 28% of its students graduating with a STEM degree.
Swedes are also very conscious of the environment. In fact, they’re so good at recycling that,
for several years, the country has imported rubbish from other countries to keep its recycling
plants going.
8. ITALY
Italy has made an enormous contribution to the world in many different areas from science
and technology to arts, so it comes as no surprise that this country is within the top
10 smartest in the world.
Education in Italy is free and mandatory from ages six to sixteen. In 2012, the Italian
secondary education was evaluated as slightly above the OECD average, with a strong and
steady improvement in science and mathematics results since 2003.
Intelligence is about more than just IQ though. From the artwork and inventions designed by
Leonardo da Vinci such as the helicopter, to the fashion houses of Milan, Italy’s
cultural influence has always been profound.
7. NETHERLANDS
Reflecting its high quality of life and prosperity, Dutch children were found to be the happiest
in the world in a 2013 UNICEF study, leading the way globally in education and well-being.
Schools typically don't give much homework until secondary level and students report
little pressure and stress. The lack of stress makes education fun and therefore students
are more likely to stay on to pursue further education.
The Programme for International Student Assessment ranks the education in the Netherlands as
the 9thbest in the world as of 2008, being significantly higher than the OECD average.
The Netherlands has also provided other breakthroughs, including the invention of the microscope,
thermometer and the submarine.
6. GERMANY
Home to more than 82 million people with an average IQ of 102, Germany is a highly developed
country with an outstanding standard of living and a very efficient education system.
The concept of kindergarten, the transition before mandatory education, was introduced
in Germany by Friedrich Froebel in 1840, providing educational environments for children at a
very young age.
After completing primary education in four grades, German students are placed in one
of three tracks based on academic performance: gymnasium for those headed to college, Realschule
for white-collar careers and Hauptschule for trade professions.
By placing children on designated career paths it helps them focus on their education.
Many German students then go onto one of the many prestigious, tuition-free universities.
And students overseas join them. According to an OECD report in 2014, Germany is the
world's third leading destination for international study.
5. AUSTRIA
In terms of both population and area, Austria is much smaller that its northern neighbor
Germany, but in terms of living standards, prosperity, and education, it is very similar.
Austria has the second-highest number of working-age PhDs in the world, with 6.7 female and 9.1
male doctorate holders per 1,000 people.
The nation also has a rich tradition of being a continental cultural center. Vienna, the
nation’s capital, became Europe’s center for classical music innovation.
Famous composers such as Franz Schubert and Johann Strauss were born in Vienna, and both
Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spent much of their lives in the city.
4. SINGAPORE
The top four is dominated by Asian countries exclusively, with the fourth spot being claimed
by Singapore.
A sovereign city-state, Singapore is known as one of the most technologically advanced
countries in the world, with an average IQ of 103.
According to the influential Programme for International Student Assessment rankings,
Singapore has the highest achieving students in international education rankings, even
above China and Japan, with its teenagers coming top in tests in maths, reading and
science. In 2015, over half of International Baccalaureate
top scorers were from Singapore.
3. TAIWAN
Heavy investment and a cultural value for education has propelled this resource poor
nation to consistently top the global education rankings.
In 2015, Taiwanese students achieved one of the world's best results in mathematics, science
and literacy, just behind the leaders Singapore, as tested by Programme for International Student
Assessment.
The country has also been praised for its high further education entrance rate, where
the university acceptance rate has increased from around 20 percent before the 1970s to
49 percent in 1996, and over 90 percent since 2006, among the highest in Asia.
2. JAPAN
In 2016, The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development tested literacy skills among
graduates from all over the world and the high-flyers were not, as you’d probably
guess, in the US or UK, but in Japan.
As the Japanese economy is largely scientific and technological based, the labor market
demands people who have achieved some form of higher education.
About 75.9 percent of high school graduates attended a university, junior college, trade
school, or other higher education institution. This figure is nearly 10% higher than students
in the US.
The two top-ranking universities in Japan are the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University,
which jointly created 16 Nobel Prize laureates.
1. SOUTH KOREA
South Korea is known for its strict emphasis on education, so it’s no surprise to see
it in the top spot.
The country invested heavily in education during the second half of the 20th century,
and in 2010, spent 7.6% of its GDP on all levels of education, significantly more
than the OECD average of 6.3%.
This investment had a positive effect on the numbers of South Koreans going to university.
According to OECD figures, 69% of 25-34 year-olds in South Korea have a college degree and 32%
of those students graduate with STEM degrees.
Entrance into a top tier higher educational institution in South Korea leads to a prestigious,
secure and well-paid white collar job with the government, banks, or a major South Korean
conglomerate such as Samsung, Hyundai or LG Electronics.
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