IQ gains in Argentina between 1964 and 1998

The literature on IQ gains in Latin America is sparse. We estimate gains on Raven's Progressive Matrices in the city of La Plata (Argentina) between 1964 and 1998. The gains are robust at the top of the curve as well as at the bottom. Therefore, they are contrary to the hypothesis that nutrition played a major role in recent Argentine IQ gains. This does not imply that nutrition was marginal elsewhere, for example, Spain. The magnitude of the gain, about 21.35 points over 34 years, is typical of Raven's gains during their peak period but high for schoolchildren. We provide comprehensive international data on Raven's gains for purposes of comparison. Argentina appears to be unlike Norway where Raven's gains have either diminished or ceased. Although economic trends in La Plata resemble those in Argentina as a whole, nation-wide data are desirable.

► Estimates gains on the RPM in the city of La Plata (Argentina) from 1964 to 1998. ► The pattern of the gains indicate that nutrition did not play a major role. ► The gain was 22 points over 34 years, typical of Raven's gains at their peak. ► To compare, we provide comprehensive international data on Raven's gains.