National IQs and their demographic correlates

National IQs calculated by Richard Lynn on the basis of intelligence tests carried out in many countries of the world measure differences in average mental abilities of nations. His cold winters theory provides a reasonable theoretical explanation for the emergence of these differences. Lynn’s database on national IQs is unique. Many researchers have already started to use national IQs in their studies exploring to what extent differences in average mental abilities of nations could explain national differences in various social phenomena. The purpose of this paper is to tell about the evolution and expansion of data on national IQs in the connection of the author’s and Richard Lynn’s joint efforts to explore to what extent differences in the wealth of nations and in other social conditions are related to differences in national IQs.

► Measured and estimated data on national IQs cover 192 nations. ► National IQ is a new explanatory variable for social sciences. ► Differences in national IQs explain the emergence and persistence of global inequalities. ► Many kinds of national differences in human conditions are related to the evolved human diversity measured by national IQ.