The 20 countries that have smarter kids than America show that while the United States continues to develop and be referred to as the world’s most powerful country, it still has a long way to go when it comes to education.
Some prefer to determine the status of a country by its military power, while others use their economy as a benchmark. However, a country can also be defined by the level of education present. While literacy rates are often good indicators, they are far from enough when it comes to determining general education levels.
The Programme for International Student Assessment was established in order to test the capacity and capability of various countries. Created by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, PISA has administered a standardized test all around the world to determine which countries have the smartest kids.
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The test focuses on three skills: reading, mathematics and science, which are arguably the three most important subjects. The test is administered once every three years and is taken by 15-year-old students. This practice was started in 2000. Over 540,000 students worldwide took part in this test in 2015, from dozens of different countries. The results were astonishing, to say the least. The U.S. has failed to finish in the top 20 in either of the three subjects, raising serious questions regarding the education system in the country. The consensus is that a proper reforming of the education system in the country is required to improve the results instead of consistently falling short.
However, it is also important to note that this does not mean that America does not have bright students and is heading for obscurity. What this test emphasizes is that the average student in the country is not as bright as the average student belonging to a country in this list of 20 countries that have smarter kids in America. The study does not at all represent that the smartest kid in the US is not smarter than the brightest kid in any country on this list.
Hence, it is safe to say that America’s position as a global superpower with the best economy in the world is not in any imminent danger. No country has the resources to compete with the U.S. on such a level and everyone knows that. This is why even if the brightest talent exists elsewhere, it is more likely that they will head to the U.S., or the land of opportunity, in order to further their development and their career.
The biggest companies in the world have often been the brainchild of one genius. Facebook wouldn’t exist without Mark Zuckerberg, while Steve Jobs is the reason Apple is one of the most valuable companies in the world, worth $586 billion. In fact, its nearest competitor is Samsung, which is only worth $161.6 billion, less than a third of Apple’s value. This is despite consistent support and subsidies provided by the Korea’s government. All it takes is one mind to change the world, and America has a history of producing such minds.
We used the rankings of each country in each subject, then calculated their average to come up with our list. Remember, this list is about the smartest 15-year-olds in each country. If you want to learn more about the collective intelligence of a nation, you might prefer to read about the 34 Smartest Countries in the World.
Now, let’s start with our list of countries that have smarter kids than America and see from which countries come the brightest minds of them all.
20. Belgium
Average Score: 503
Reading Score: 499
Math Score: 507
Science Score: 502
While great importance has been given to education in Belgium, the federal government is only minimally involved, with three communities, namely the French, German and Flemish, managing their own school system. However, the education system is not flawless, and a study revealed in 2007 that teachers actively left their jobs due to a threat of violence.
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17. Poland
Average Score: 504
Reading Score: 506
Math Score: 504
Science Score: 501
Poland is also among the countries that have smarter kids than America and it has the oldest ministry of education in the world, which was established in 1778. Education is compulsory in the nation for 9 years, after which upper education may be pursued. The system has been designed to allow 22 years of schooling.
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17. Norway
Average Score: 504
Reading Score: 513
Math Score: 502
Science Score: 498
Known as one of the happiest countries in the world, Norway ranks high in almost all the criteria that determine the success of a country, including education.
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17. Denmark
Average Score: 504
Reading Score: 500
Math Score: 511
Science Score: 502
While the law makes it mandatory for children under the age of 16 to attend school, more than 80 percent continue their studies at a higher level after 16, which is why Norway has some of the most intelligent students in the world.
15. New Zealand
Average Score: 506
Reading Score: 509
Math Score: 495
Science Score: 513
Education in New Zealand is three tiered, with primary school followed by secondary and tertiary schools. Not only does the country have a high score in the PISA study, it has also been consistently ranked highly by the UN’s Human Development Index.
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15. Switzerland
Average Score: 506
Reading Score: 492
Math Score: 521
Science Score: 506
It would be a good idea to get used to European countries making up most of the 20 countries that have smarter kids than America. In Switzerland, each canton has authority regarding its education system which makes it one of the most diverse education systems in the world.
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14. Germany
Average Score: 508
Reading Score: 509
Math Score: 506
Science Score: 509
Germany is known for its achievement in engineering, especially in cars, but it is also renowned for one of the best education systems out there.
11. The Netherlands
Average Score: 509
Reading Score: 503
Math Score: 512
Science Score: 502
The education system in the Netherlands is based on the concept of division, be it due to the age group or special needs. This allows the teachers to focus specifically on the needs of each child and ensure that the material is delivered to them in the best possible manner.
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11. Ireland
Average Score: 509
Reading Score: 521
Math Score: 504
Science Score: 503
Another country with a three-tier education system, a literacy rate of 99 percent and a secondary diplomat rate of 89 percent, there is no wonder that Ireland is featured on this list of countries that have smarter kids than America.
11. Slovenia
Average Score: 509
Reading Score: 505
Math Score: 510
Science Score: 513
Education in Slovenia is regulated at a federal level, allowing a uniform approach and widespread access to education. There are five grades that students get based on their performance, with five being the highest. This grading system has been the same since before the partition of Yugoslavia in 1991.
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10. China
Average Score: 514
Reading Score: 494
Math Score: 531
Science Score: 518
China has a state-run public school system, which is mandatory to attend for at least nine years and funded by the Chinese government. It must offer high-quality education, considering China’s position on this list.
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9. South Korea
Average Score: 519
Reading Score: 517
Math Score: 524
Science Score: 516
South Korea has managed to keep a low profile; however, it is easy to see why the kids in the country are so smart when you look at the education system. One of the reasons why it’s on the list of countries that have smarter kids than America is because both public and private schools are available, and the government provides funding for both. Among OECD countries, not only does South Korea have some of the top students, but it also boasts one of the highest educated work forces as well.
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8. Taiwan
Average Score: 520
Reading Score: 497
Math Score: 542
Science Score: 532
The law in Taiwan has made education compulsory for nine years for everyone, although most of the students opt for further education as well. While it has some of the best test scores in the world, the country itself has been consistently and vehemently criticized based on allegations that it places undue and intense pressure on the students, while also making students refrain creativity in favor of memorization and rote learning.
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7. Finland
Average Score: 523
Reading Score: 526
Math Score: 511
Science Score: 531
Finland’s education system is unique, not only because it is completely free and provides its students with subsidized meals, but also because standardized tests are not part of the concept. Instead, focused learning is emphasized, to cater to each child’s different needs.
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5. Canada
Average Score: 524
Reading Score: 527
Math Score: 516
Science Score: 528
Education in Canada is funded by either the local, provincial or federal government and education up to the age of 16 is mandatory. However, in some provinces, the minimum age for compulsory education is as high as 18. Since provinces regulate the education system within, which has led to diverse school systems employing various grading techniques and teaching methods.
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5. Estonia
Average Score: 524
Reading Score: 519
Math Score: 520
Science Score: 534
Mandatory schooling may seem like a fundamental concept, but it is rarely implemented in the world. The reason these countries are featured on this list is because they have implemented this concept. Estonia does not differ in this regard, with a nine-year compulsory program being followed in the country.
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4. Macau
Average Score: 527
Reading Score: 509
Math Score: 544
Science Score: 529
Even though Macau has few government schools, with most schools being subsidized or private, it has managed to compete with the best of the countries with regard to its education system. A compulsory education system has been implemented by its government.
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3. Japan
Average Score: 529
Reading Score: 516
Math Score: 532
Science Score: 538
Third place on our list of countries that have smarter kids than America goes to Japan. Education is highly valued and appreciated in Japanese society, which is why policies have been developed to further education and ensure that the students attain the highest possible levels of education. It is another country which has been criticized for placing excessive pressure on students and preferring standard tests over creativity.
2. Hong Kong
Average Score: 533
Reading Score: 527
Math Score: 548
Science Score: 523
Hong Kong has one of the best universities in the world, and is also home to some of the most intelligent secondary students in the world.
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1. Singapore
Average Score: 552
Reading Score: 535
Math Score: 564
Science Score: 556
Singaporean students earned the highest scores in each of the three subjects in the PISA test, easily topping the list of 20 countries that have smarter kids than America. Few countries have placed as much importance on education as Singapore, with the country spending over a fifth of its budget on education.
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