Switzerland named world’s smartest country in new global study

JOHANNESBURG — 1 July 2024

Switzerland has been ranked as the world’s smartest nation in a 2025 global study by World of Card Games.

The study analysed intelligence and education data across five benchmarks using information from sources including the Nobel Prize Organisation and World Population Review. (World of Card Games study)

Countries were evaluated on Nobel Prize nominations per individual and institution, average IQ, plus percentages of adults holding bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Researchers created a “Smart Capital Score” by normalizing each factor on a 0-100 scale, giving slightly more weight to Nobel achievements and education levels. (World of Card Games study)

Switzerland scored 92.02 overall despite its small population, with 1,099 individual Nobel nominations, 32 universities linked to Nobel winners, and 40.02% of adults holding bachelor’s degrees.

The United Kingdom and United States followed closely with scores of 89.40 and 89.18 respectively.

The full top 10 rankings are:

1. Switzerland — 92.02
2. United Kingdom — 89.40
3. United States — 89.18
4. Netherlands — 87.30
5. Belgium — 86.58
6. Sweden — 85.62
7. Germany — 85.40
8. Poland — 80.70
9. Denmark — 80.46
10. Finland — 80.24

Switzerland’s top position reflects its strong performance across all intellectual achievement metrics. (World of Card Games study)