Yes, Sweden is widely considered a very "smart country," excelling in innovation, digital infrastructure, sustainability, and education, consistently ranking high globally in innovation indexes, leveraging advanced tech for smart cities, and fostering a highly skilled, digitally proficient population. Its focus on R&D, renewable energy, and efficient public systems solidifies its position as a leader in smart development, though challenges like STEM engagement persist.
The top three smartest countries in the world
Taking the top spot overall was Sweden, with an average score of 7.99 across all five factors.
While Sweden is free from large-scale insurgencies, rising gang violence has emerged as an ongoing and growing concern. The number of deadly shootings and arson and bomb attacks has surged in many Swedish cities in recent years: according to 2021 UN data, Sweden had one of the highest gun death rates in Europe.
Sweden believes in the value of education and knowledge, and there is a high degree of equality. The result is a highly skilled workforce. The country also has a supportive and well-developed research climate, where government, businesses, universities and citizens team up to find the next great idea.
Homelessness in Sweden affects around 27,000 people.
South Sudan is widely considered the poorest country in the world in 2025-2026, consistently ranking first due to extremely low GDP per capita and a high percentage (over 80%) of its population living in extreme poverty, driven by prolonged civil conflict, displacement, and disruption of its agricultural economy. Other nations frequently cited as among the poorest include Burundi, the Central African Republic, and Yemen, also suffering from conflict and instability.
Sweden's "five-year rule" primarily refers to the required period of legal residence for non-EU citizens to apply for long-term resident status, granting EU mobility, and to qualify for applying for Swedish citizenship, though stricter citizenship rules (8 years, tests) are proposed for 2026. The five-year mark is crucial for obtaining permanent rights, either as a long-term resident (EU-wide benefits) or for a permanent residence permit (within Sweden).
Japan ranks highest in average IQ globally, with an average IQ score of 106.48, according to recently updated data from DataPandas on May 20, 2025. National IQ is influenced by factors such as education, healthcare, nutrition, and economic stability.
International rankings of Sweden
Around 1.5 million native Swedes left the country. They went primarily to the Americas and Australia – to escape poverty and religious persecution, and to seek a better life for themselves and their families.
The brown bear is Sweden's largest predator. They are omnivores, and they hibernate over winter.
In Sweden, bad words mostly have a religious origin and in the past it was common to amplify them with numbers, such as 'sjutton' (17), 'attans' (an old word for 18), and 'tusan' (meaning 1,000).
Denmark is second and is the highest-scoring Nordic country, with 7.87 out of 100. Denmark's highest score is in literacy and digital literacy, with 98.87% of its population using the internet. Denmark also has a high number of books published each year, with an average of 2,849, adding to its literacy score.
Studies have shown that intelligence has a genetic component, but they have not conclusively identified any single genes that have major roles in differences in intelligence. It is likely that intelligence involves many genes that each make only a small contribution to a person's intelligence.
Albert Einstein never took an official IQ test, so his score is an estimate, but most sources place it around 160, considered genius level, though some believe it could have been higher. This figure is based on his revolutionary scientific achievements, like the theory of relativity, rather than a standardized test. IQ tests from his era weren't as developed, and his unique thinking style makes accurate modern comparison difficult.
Careers in the medical field, computer programing, university research positions, and engineering are among the ones with the highest requirements to be smart and have a high IQ.
Foreigners obtain Swedish passports by descent, marriage, or naturalisation. The path to citizenship by naturalisation takes at least 10 years: 5 with a temporary residence permit and 5 with permanent residency. Sweden allows its citizens to have two passports, so you don't need to renounce your first citizenship.
This rule is part of the legislation on special income tax for non-residents (“SINK”). A person living abroad is exempt from paying income tax in Sweden if all of the following conditions are met: The person spends no more than 183 days in Sweden during a 12-month period. Compensation is paid by a non-Swedish employer.
List of Top 15 Hardest Countries To Get Citizenship in 2026
But despite the economic uptick of recent years, Tasmania is still the poorest Australian state.