List of African Countries by IQ

The color coded map below shows the countries of the world and their average IQs. In The Intelligence of Nations, Richard Lynn and David Becker (2019) summarized the IQs of more than 200 countries relying on psychometric data from IQ tests or international tests like the Program for International Assessment (PISA), Trends In Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS), and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS).

However, psychometric data was not available for some Africa countries and the authors had to tabulate the average IQ estimates of those countries based on the IQs of the surrounding countries. A good example is Eswatini and Lesotho. There was no data for both countries but because they are in close proximity to South Africa, an average IQ of 68.87 was assigned. Similarly other nations like Benin, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Djibouti, Gabon, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, and Togo did not have any psychometric data and the authors had to rely on similar methods.

The average IQ of Sub Saharan Africa as reported by Lynn and Becker is 68.92. Kenya has an average IQ of 75.20. For a breakdown of how the average IQ of Kenya was arrived at, read here.

Map of national IQs estimated by psychometric data (Lynn & Becker, 2019)

The list below is ordered from the country with the highest IQ to the lowest. You can make your own rough estimates on whether the IQ of these countries corresponds to higher wealth or quality of life. Based on GDP per capita, Mauritius and Seychelles are among the countries holding the the top spots. You can read how the IQ of a country affects its wealth and economic development here.

COUNTRY……………………….IQ

1. Libya………………………..90.92
2. Mauritius…………………..86.56
3. Sudan………………………78.87
4. Seychelles………………….78.76
5. Tunisia……………………..79.22
6. Madagascar………………..76.79
7. Uganda…………………….76.42
8. Egypt……………………….76.32
9. Algeria……………………..76.00
10. Kenya………………………75.20
11. Angola……………………..75.10
12. Tanzania…………………..74.95
13. Zimbabwe…………………74.01
14. Burkina Faso………………73.80
15. Mozambique………………72.50
16. Niger……………………….70.82
17. Rwanda…………………….69.95
18. Benin……………………….69.71
19. Botswana…………………..69.45
20. South Africa……………….68.87
21. Eswatini……………………68.87
22. Lesotho…………………….68.87
23. Eritrea……………………..68.77
24. Zambia…………………….68.43
25. Ethiopia……………………68.42
26. Djibouti……………………68.41
27. Nigeria…………………….67.80
28. Cameroon…………………67.76
29. Somalia……………………67.67
30. Morocco…………………..67.03
31. Namibia…………………..66.19
32. Sao Tome Principe……….65.22
33. Congo, Democratic Rep….64.92
34. Congo Republic…………..62.97
35. Gabon……………………..62.97
36. Central African Rep………62.55
37. Togo……………………….59.83
38. Mali………………………..59.76
39. Mauritania………………..59.76
40. Malawi…………………… 59.70
41. South Sudan………………58. 61
42. Cote d’Ivoire………………58.16
43. Ghana……………………..58.16
44. Guinea…………………….53.48
45. Cabo Verde………………..52.50
46. Gambia ……………………49.78
47. Liberia……………………..45.07
48. Sierra Leone……………….45.07

The map above does not have all the countries. That also explains why not all countries have been included in this list. I will continue to make more updates on this list.

Reference

Lynn, R., & Becker, D. (2019). The intelligence of nations. London: Ulster Institute for Social Research.