New research has revealed which nations can claim the title of the world's smartest, with the United Kingdom securing a prestigious second place. The study, conducted by World of Card Games, assessed countries on a combination of factors including Nobel Prize nominations, average population IQ, and the percentage of adults holding university degrees.
European Nations Dominate the Top Spots
The analysis crowned Switzerland as the global leader with a remarkable score of 92.02 out of 100. The alpine nation leads the world with 40.02% of adults holding at least a Bachelor's degree and boasts 1,099 Nobel Prize nominations alongside an average IQ of 99.24.
Hot on its heels, the United Kingdom achieved an overall score of 89.4. Britain's impressive performance is underpinned by a staggering 2,393 Nobel Prize nominations and a near-equal rate of degree attainment to Switzerland, with 39.59% of adults holding a Bachelor's. The average British IQ was recorded at 99.12, with 14.37% of the population holding a minimum of a Master's degree.
The Global Contenders: America and European Powerhouses
The United States clinched third place with a score of 89.18. America stands out for its sheer volume of intellectual achievement, recording the highest number of Nobel Prize nominations at 5,717 and being home to 256 universities with such nominations. Some 38.57% of American adults hold a Bachelor's degree.
European countries overwhelmingly filled the remainder of the top ten. The Netherlands ranked fourth (87.3), noted for its high average IQ of 100.74. Belgium placed fifth with a score of 86.58. The list was completed by Sweden, Germany, Poland, Denmark, and Finland.
Key Insights and Expert Commentary
The study highlighted specific national strengths. Finland recorded the highest average IQ at 101.20, while Poland leads in Master's degree attainment, with 22.31% of adults holding one.
Holger Sindbaek, founder of World of Card Games, interpreted the results. "These rankings show how countries build smart, capable citizens through long-term investment in education and research," he stated. "The top performers focus on several areas at once, from world-class universities to making sure more people earn degrees. Switzerland's first-place finish shows how a small country can make a big impact by focusing on quality over size."
Sindbaek added that the strong showing from multiple European nations demonstrates that regional investment in education creates widespread benefits, fostering highly capable populations that excel on the global stage.
