Australia's average IQ is generally considered around the global average of 100, with various studies placing it slightly above or near that benchmark, often ranking within the top countries with scores around 100-102.5, though figures vary by source and methodology. An average IQ of 100 signifies performance at the expected level for a given age, with scores 85-115 considered the average range, according to sources like Shichida Australia and Verywell Mind.
Australia landed in ninth place overall with an average IQ of 102.57 – that's a 0.97-point increase from last year and 2.57 points higher than the global average of 100. This places us in the top eight per cent of the 126 countries included (with any nations lacking sufficient data excluded).
Commonly used assessments in Australia include:
Educational psychologists consider a gifted IQ to be 130 or higher (98th percentile) on the WISC or WPPSI, or around 132+ on the Stanford-Binet. It's important to note that the WISC and WIPPSI return different scores to the Stanford-Binet.
There is no evidence that he ever took an IQ test. However, that has not stopped some people from trying to determine how smart he was. According to some sources, Einstein's IQ was probably about 160, which is commonly considered genius level. This number is largely derived from his achievements in physics.
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.
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.
Lady Gaga's IQ is widely rumored to be around 166, placing her in the "exceptionally gifted" or genius category, though this is an estimation often cited in celebrity lists, not a officially verified number from a public test. This high estimate is supported by her early academic achievements, like attending a summer program for the top 1% of students, and her demonstrated creative and musical genius as a composer and performer, notes Us Weekly and Brainmanager.io.
Research shows IQ test scores peak at ages 25-29 and decline afterward, with a steeper drop after age 70.
Celebrity Genius 5 - James Woods
Emmy Award winner James Woods is an Oscar-nominee and superstar has a whopping IQ of 180. While in high school, Woods was in a UCLA linear algebra course.
An IQ score of 130 or higher is generally considered the threshold for giftedness, placing an individual in the top 2% of the population, though this can vary slightly by test and definition, with higher scores indicating more profound levels like Highly Gifted (145-159) or Exceptionally Gifted (160+). While 130+ is common for educational programs, some consider IQs from 115-129 as "mildly gifted" or "bright," showing above-average ability, notes the Davidson Institute.
Terence Tao, an Australian math prodigy with a staggering IQ of 230, is widely regarded as the smartest person alive.
As noted above, 2.2% of the population falls in the 130 and above category. So, technically, those whose IQ is 130 and 131 do not quite meet the criteria. According to Mensa's website, the cutoff score for acceptance is 132.
This means their thinking and reasoning skills are well above their same-aged peers. To be classified as gifted, most education departments require children to have an IQ score at or above 130 on a standardised test administered by a psychologist.
YoungHoon Kim, IQ 276
According to reports, South Korean native YoungHoon Kim has the highest recorded IQ in the world as of 2024, with an incredible score of 276. Official recognition of his extraordinary intelligence has come from reputable organisations like the World Genius Directory and the Giga Society.
The only way to take an official IQ test in Australia is through a registered psychologist. At Psychology Melbourne, we provide face-to-face assessments using the WAIS-IV.
A 72 IQ is considered Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF), falling just above the threshold for intellectual disability (usually around 70), placing it in the lower end of the spectrum (70-79) and indicating slower learning and potential needs for support in daily living, though it's not low enough for an official intellectual disability diagnosis by itself, notes Quora user. It's in the bottom few percentiles of the population, requiring more time to grasp complex concepts but not necessarily severe impairment.
Is Kim Kardashian's IQ really 190? No—it's a baseless rumor from unreliable sites. No verified score exists; estimates range 95–119 based on her education & career, but her actual IQ remains unknown.
Even though it is the main cognitive determinant, psychological factors can also play a role. For instance, test anxiety has been shown to explain part of the variation in IQ tests, as anxiety negatively affected numerical intelligence and performance in a given math task (Ashcraft and Kirk 2001; Schillinger et al.
IQ tests are not perfect, not should they be used to create a class-ist society ruled by high testers. Paris Hilton has a 129 IQ and Andy Warhol's was 86. But who contributed more to society?
Nicole Kidman, whose shyness and stutter made her early years difficult, nevertheless showed an impressive aptitude for ballet and acting at a young age (and at one point had a reported IQ of 132).
Her songwriting & business smarts suggest above-average intelligence, but real IQ needs a pro test. Taylor Swift's IQ is often cited online as 160, which would place her in the top 0.01% of the population, higher than 99.99% of people.
A weighted average has been calculated at 0.75, with about an absolute average difference of 8.0 IQ points. In comparison, identical twins reared together typically differ by 6 IQ points, non-twin siblings differ by 12 points, and complete strangers differ by 16.9 points.
However the researchers looked at it, first-borns had, on average, an IQ of 1.5 points higher than second-born siblings, who in turn had a 1.5 higher IQ than third-borns and so on.
By contrast, intelligence tests at birth cannot predict intelligence at age 18 years. At 2 years of age, infant intelligence tests predict less than 5% of the variance of intelligence in late adolescence37,38.