Differences in reported IQ between nations etc. have been a focus of my interest lately.
There's a book, IQ and the Wealth of Nations, which is partially available for free on Google Books, but there is a Wikipedia article at this link. This gives the IQ's for nations based on tests done in these countries, or more often than not by extrapolation.
It's extremely easy to punch holes in the study methodology and results. There is so much I have a problem with. The study could really ruffle some feathers, as intelligence is a pretty sensitive subject; it would be very easy to read a racist agenda into the study if you see the IQ's reported for countries. I somehow find it hard to believe that many countries AVERAGE IQ could be around 70 or lower.
And in my opinion, IQ is not a suitable measurement of intelligence or ability, I do have reason to believe social and emotional intelligence count for a lot more. But it's an intriguing subjct nonetheless.
That said, it seems correct that East Asian nations are top of the IQ charts. Singapore and Hong Kong having predominantly Sinitic populations, and being financial centres that attract much of the "brightest and best". I'm intrigued that North Korea ranks third, though I'd have expected it to be among the highest IQ nations.
I found a study of IQ in the American states. Reported IQ in the US states seems to rise in line with latitude.
In the UK, against which IQ for all nations is measured (the average IQ of 100 is a UK average, therefore it's the UK average by default), Scotland is reported to have an IQ a bit lower than the rest of the UK. This has been attributed to the 'brain drain' out of Scotland.
