Global Intelligence Mapping: Cognitive Capital and Its Relevance to Digital Innovation

In our increasingly technology-driven global economy, the distribution of cognitive capital across nations offers fascinating insights into potential hubs for technological advancement and digital innovation. A recent 2019 study by researchers Richard Lynn and David Becker at the Ulster Institute provides data on national IQ averages that may correlate with regions experiencing rapid adoption of blockchain technology and digital assets.

East Asia’s Cognitive Advantage

The data shows a notable concentration of high average IQ scores in East Asian economies:

1. 🇯🇵 Japan: 106.48
2. 🇹🇼 Taiwan: 106.47
3. 🇸🇬 Singapore: 105.9
4. 🇭🇰 Hong Kong: 105.34
5. 🇨🇳 China: 104.1
6. 🇰🇷 South Korea: 102.3

This cognitive capital advantage may partially explain why these regions have become powerhouses in technological development, with significant blockchain innovation hubs emerging across East Asia.

European Technical Leadership

European nations also demonstrate strong cognitive metrics, potentially supporting their growing prominence in regulatory frameworks and blockchain technology development:

7. 🇧🇾 Belarus: 101.6
8. 🇫🇮 Finland: 101.2
9. 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein: 101.1
10. 🇩🇪 Germany: 100.7
11. 🇳🇱 Netherlands: 100.7

Several of these nations have established forward-thinking regulatory environments for digital assets and are home to innovative blockchain projects.

Western Economies and Digital Markets

Major Western economies display solid cognitive metrics, though slightly below the East Asian leaders:

14. 🇲🇴 Macau: 98.8
15. 🇨🇦 Canada: 99.5
16. 🇦🇺 Australia: 99.2 (Current 2025 data shows Australia at 98.06)
17. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: 99.1
18. 🇩🇰 Denmark: 97.8
19. 🇧🇪 Belgium: 97.5
20. 🇺🇸 United States: 97.4
21. 🇳🇴 Norway: 97.1
22. 🇫🇷 France: 96.7

These nations remain crucial markets for digital asset trading and blockchain adoption, with substantial institutional interest and retail participation.

Emerging Markets and Digital Adoption

Emerging economies present a diverse picture of cognitive metrics and digital asset engagement:

35. 🇷🇺 Russia: 96.3
36. 🇨🇿 Czechia: 94.9
37. 🇮🇹 Italy: 94.2
38. 🇪🇸 Spain: 93.9
39. 🇵🇹 Portugal: 92.8
40. 🇮🇱 Israel: 92.4
41. 🇺🇦 Ukraine: 90
42. 🇻🇳 Vietnam: 89.5
43. 🇮🇶 Iraq: 89.3
44. 🇲🇽 Mexico: 87.7
45. 🇹🇷 Turkey: 86.8
46. 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka: 86.6

Many of these countries have seen substantial growth in digital asset adoption despite varying levels of regulatory clarity.

Developing Regions and Digital Inclusion

These regions present opportunities for digital financial inclusion through blockchain technology:

98. 🇧🇷 Brazil: 83.4
99. 🇦🇫 Afghanistan: 82.1
100. 🇵🇭 Philippines: 81.6
101. 🇮🇷 Iran: 80.01
102. 🇵🇰 Pakistan: 80
103. 🇮🇩 Indonesia: 78.5
104. 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: 76.4
105. 🇪🇬 Egypt: 76.3
106. 🇮🇳 India: 76.2
107. 🇰🇪 Kenya: 75.2
108. 🇧🇩 Bangladesh: 74.3
109. 🇪🇹 Ethiopia: 68.4
110. 🇳🇬 Nigeria: 67.8

While these nations show lower average IQ scores in the study, many are experiencing rapid digital adoption and represent significant growth markets for blockchain applications, particularly in remittances and financial access.

Implications for the Digital Asset Landscape

The distribution of cognitive capital provides one lens through which to understand potential regional advantages in technological innovation. However, many factors beyond IQ influence blockchain adoption and development, including regulatory environments, existing technological infrastructure, and market dynamics.

Traders and investors participating in global digital asset markets may benefit from considering how regional cognitive strengths could influence long-term technological development, while recognizing that successful innovation ecosystems depend on numerous complementary factors.

Data source: 2019 study by researchers Richard Lynn and David Becker at the Ulster Institute