Lebanese ranked highest in IQ in the Arab world

Lebanon ranked first among Arab countries, with an average IQ score of 99.13, based on a global statistical scale centered at 100 points. According to the International IQ Test organization, the country placed 41st worldwide, ahead of dozens of developed and emerging economies. South Korea led the global ranking with an average IQ of 106.97, followed by China (106.48) and Japan (106.30). Lebanon’s position offers a revealing snapshot of a society that has long invested in education, multilingualism, and cognitive adaptability often in spite of trials and tribulations.

What the ranking measures

The International IQ Test ranking is based on aggregated results from standardized online IQ assessments taken voluntarily by participants around the world. They are widely used as indicators of cognitive trends related to education levels, literacy, and problem-solving ability.

As with all self-reported and online-based data, the ranking has its limitations. However, when viewed alongside Lebanon’s educational history and workforce profile, the results align with broader regional perceptions of Lebanese academic and professional competence.

Education as a cultural constant

Lebanon’s strong showing is deeply rooted in its education culture. For decades, education has been one of the few stable pillars in an otherwise volatile national landscape. Lebanese students are typically educated in multiple languages, with Arabic, French, and English forming the backbone of the curriculum in both public and private schools. Even during periods of war and instability, families continued to prioritize education, often at great personal cost, cementing learning as both a social value and a survival strategy.

Ranking high amid collapse

What makes Lebanon’s ranking particularly striking is the context in which it appears. Since the 2019 financial collapse, the country’s public education system has been severely strained, with underpaid teachers, frequent strikes, and deteriorating infrastructure. Yet Lebanon still ranked above wealthier Gulf states with far greater public spending on education.

This contrast highlights a crucial reality: cognitive capital is not solely a function of national wealth. Cultural emphasis on learning, exposure to multiple languages, and early cognitive stimulation play a decisive role, areas in which Lebanon has historically excelled.

Lebanon’s first place ranking in the Arab world does not erase its crises. But it does challenge the narrative of total collapse. Beneath the economic and political failures lies a population that remains highly educated, cognitively skilled, and capable of excellence.

The real question is no longer whether Lebanese people are capable, but whether Lebanon itself can become a country worthy of retaining them. Until then, Lebanon’s intelligence will continue to shine.

Lebanese ranked highest in IQ in the Arab World

Lebanon ranked first among Arab countries, with an average IQ score of 99.13, based on a global statistical scale centered at 100 points. According to the International IQ Test organization, the country placed 41st worldwide, ahead of dozens of developed and emerging economies. South Korea led the global ranking with an average IQ of 106.97, followed by China (106.48) and Japan (106.30). Lebanon’s position offers a revealing snapshot of a society that has long invested in education, multilingualism, and cognitive adaptability often in spite of trials and tribulations.

What the ranking measures

The International IQ Test ranking is based on aggregated results from standardized online IQ assessments taken voluntarily by participants around the world. They are widely used as indicators of cognitive trends related to education levels, literacy, and problem-solving ability.

As with all self-reported and online-based data, the ranking has its limitations. However, when viewed alongside Lebanon’s educational history and workforce profile, the results align with broader regional perceptions of Lebanese academic and professional competence.

Education as a cultural constant

Lebanon’s strong showing is deeply rooted in its education culture. For decades, education has been one of the few stable pillars in an otherwise volatile national landscape. Lebanese students are typically educated in multiple languages, with Arabic, French, and English forming the backbone of the curriculum in both public and private schools. Even during periods of war and instability, families continued to prioritize education, often at great personal cost, cementing learning as both a social value and a survival strategy.

Ranking high amid collapse

What makes Lebanon’s ranking particularly striking is the context in which it appears. Since the 2019 financial collapse, the country’s public education system has been severely strained, with underpaid teachers, frequent strikes, and deteriorating infrastructure. Yet Lebanon still ranked above wealthier Gulf states with far greater public spending on education.

This contrast highlights a crucial reality: cognitive capital is not solely a function of national wealth. Cultural emphasis on learning, exposure to multiple languages, and early cognitive stimulation play a decisive role, areas in which Lebanon has historically excelled.

Lebanon’s first place ranking in the Arab world does not erase its crises. But it does challenge the narrative of total collapse. Beneath the economic and political failures lies a population that remains highly educated, cognitively skilled, and capable of excellence.

The real question is no longer whether Lebanese people are capable, but whether Lebanon itself can become a country worthy of retaining them. Until then, Lebanon’s intelligence will continue to shine.