IQ of Men vs Women: What Does the Science Actually Say?

The question “IQ of men vs women” has been debated for decades. Many wonder: are men smarter than women, or vice versa? Do average IQ differences exist between genders? In this article, we will delve into the scientific evidence — what studies show about average scores, variability, cognitive strengths, and the factors that drive apparent gender differences in IQ. For readers unfamiliar with how IQ is measured, taking a modern IQ test can provide useful context before diving deeper.

What IQ Measures and Why Gender Comparison Matters

IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a standardized score designed to assess human intelligence through various cognitive domains such as logical reasoning, problem-solving, memory, and verbal comprehension. A clear explanation of how IQ works can be found in this complete guide to IQ.

However, IQ is not a complete measure of intelligence. It does not account for emotional intelligence (EQ), creativity, social intelligence, or practical problem-solving skills. If you’re curious about non-IQ factors, exploring an EQ test can offer a broader perspective.

Historically, misconceptions about male and female intelligence have shaped educational opportunities and leadership roles. By examining IQ data scientifically, we can distinguish biological differences from cultural or environmental influences. More insights into cognitive benchmarking can be seen here: What Is Cognitive Benchmarking?

In essence, exploring IQ differences between men and women is less about “who is smarter” and more about understanding how human intelligence develops and expresses itself under different conditions.

Average IQ Scores: Are There Gender Differences?

Modern science consistently shows that average IQ scores between men and women are nearly identical. To understand how different scores compare, you can review standardized interpretations in the IQ score rankings or explore how specific IQ values are defined, such as IQ 110 or IQ 143.

Research also suggests that when tests are redesigned to remove gender bias — like those used in culture-fair IQ testing — male and female averages become nearly identical.

A comprehensive study published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience reinforces that while cognitive profiles can differ, overall IQ averages remain virtually the same.

In summary, the best available evidence shows that men and women share equal cognitive potential when it comes to overall intelligence. Differences that appear in older data or isolated studies are generally explained by environmental context, methodology, or cultural influence, not innate ability.

Variability: The “Greater Male Variability Hypothesis”

While the average IQ between men and women appears nearly identical, researchers have long debated whether men show greater variability in intelligence scores — meaning more men are found at both the highest and lowest ends of the IQ spectrum. This idea is known as the Greater Male Variability Hypothesis (GMVH).

The hypothesis dates back to 19th-century psychology, with early observations suggesting that male performance was more “spread out” across the intelligence curve, whereas female performance tended to cluster closer to the mean. In statistical terms, men may have a wider standard deviation, leading to a higher representation among both gifted individuals (IQ above 130) and those with intellectual disabilities (IQ below 70).

Modern studies provide mixed evidence. Some large-scale analyses, such as those by Johnson et al. (2008) and Deary et al. (2007), found slight male overrepresentation at the extremes. However, the differences are often small and vary significantly across cultures, educational systems, and test designs.

Critics argue that these findings might reflect environmental influences, testing bias, or socioeconomic conditions rather than innate biology. For example:

• Boys are often encouraged to take risks and explore problem-solving activities, which may develop broader variability in test performance.
• Girls, on the other hand, are sometimes socialized toward verbal and cooperative learning, narrowing variability but not necessarily ability.

Furthermore, cross-cultural studies show that societies with greater gender equality tend to display less variability difference, suggesting that social and educational environments play a major role in shaping performance patterns.

In summary, while the greater male variability hypothesis remains an intriguing concept, it is far from conclusive. The data indicate that differences in IQ distribution — when they exist — are modest, context-dependent, and influenced by environment as much as genetics.

Cognitive Strengths: Differences in Specific Abilities

Even though average IQ scores are equal, men and women often demonstrate distinct cognitive profiles — patterns of strengths across different domains of intelligence. These differences do not imply that one gender is more intelligent than the other; rather, they highlight how diverse brain development and learning experiences can shape performance.

1. Spatial and Mathematical Skills

Research often finds that men, on average, score higher on spatial reasoning, 3D visualization, and certain mathematical problem-solving tasks. These skills are associated with regions of the brain related to spatial awareness and navigation. Evolutionary psychologists suggest this may stem from historical roles involving hunting or tool use, though environmental training — such as exposure to video games, sports, or engineering activities — can also enhance spatial skills in both genders.

2. Verbal and Memory Abilities

Women tend to excel in verbal fluency, language comprehension, and episodic memory (recalling stories, faces, or detailed information). Studies using MRI scans indicate that female brains often have more developed connectivity between hemispheres, enhancing communication and linguistic processing. This advantage contributes to better social interaction, emotional expression, and multitasking abilities.

3. Emotional and Social Intelligence

Beyond cognitive metrics, women often outperform men in emotional intelligence (EQ) — the ability to perceive, understand, and regulate emotions. EQ is not part of standard IQ tests but plays a major role in leadership, communication, and interpersonal success.

4. Analytical and Systemizing Tendencies

Conversely, some men exhibit stronger systemizing skills — the ability to understand and predict systems or mechanical processes — which can lead to higher representation in fields such as physics, computer science, or engineering.

Importantly, these differences represent averages, not absolutes. Many individuals defy these trends entirely. As neuroscientist Gina Rippon emphasizes in The Gendered Brain (2019), cognitive differences between men and women are small, overlapping, and highly plastic, meaning experience and environment can shape — and even erase — these gaps.

In essence, men and women may excel in different cognitive arenas, but these variations complement rather than compete. True intelligence lies in how both sets of strengths are applied in learning, creativity, and problem-solving.

Self-Perception and Gender Bias in IQ Estimation

Interestingly, research consistently shows that men tend to overestimate their own intelligence, while women tend to underestimate theirs — even when their actual IQ scores are identical.

A large-scale meta-analysis conducted by Furnham et al. (2001) found that men, across various cultures, rated their own IQ an average of 5 to 10 points higher than women rated theirs. This discrepancy has nothing to do with real ability but rather reflects differences in self-concept, social expectations, and gender conditioning.

From a psychological standpoint, men are often socialized to value confidence and assertiveness, leading them to express higher self-belief in intellectual domains. Women, conversely, are frequently encouraged toward humility or cooperation, which can subconsciously lower their self-assessment despite equal performance.

Such self-perception biases can have real-world consequences:

• Women may be less likely to apply for jobs or promotions that require high cognitive or analytical skills, even when qualified.
• Men may overestimate their competence, leading to riskier decision-making or overconfidence in professional environments.

As psychologist Adrian Furnham notes,

“There are no significant gender differences in actual IQ — only in how intelligence is perceived and expressed.”

Therefore, when analyzing gender and intelligence, it’s vital to separate measurable cognitive performance from subjective self-belief. Recognizing this distinction helps prevent stereotypes and supports a more accurate understanding of human intelligence across genders.

The Role of Biology and Environment

The question of whether men or women are “smarter” cannot be answered by genetics alone. Intelligence results from a complex interplay between biological and environmental factors — nature provides the potential, but nurture determines how that potential develops.

1. Biological Factors

Some neurological studies have identified subtle brain structure differences between men and women that might relate to certain cognitive abilities:

• Men tend to have slightly larger overall brain volume, even after adjusting for body size.
• Women often exhibit greater cortical thickness and denser white matter connectivity, enhancing communication between brain hemispheres.

A 2014 paper in PNAS found that male brains showed more intra-hemispheric connections (optimized for motor and spatial skills), while female brains displayed more inter-hemispheric connectivity (supporting communication and memory). However, neuroscientists emphasize that size does not equal intelligence — efficiency, not volume, determines cognitive performance.

Moreover, MRI research shows that both sexes use different brain regions to achieve similar IQ results — a finding that reinforces the idea of cognitive equivalence through different neurological pathways.

2. Environmental Factors

While biology sets the framework, the environment shapes the outcome. Factors like education, culture, and socio-economic opportunity have profound effects on intelligence expression:

• Education and early learning: Access to quality education strongly correlates with higher IQ development, especially in early childhood.
• Nutrition and health: Poor nutrition and stress during childhood can hinder brain growth, while balanced diets rich in omega-3s and antioxidants enhance cognition.
• Cultural and gender norms: Societies that restrict educational or career opportunities for women often see lower average female IQ scores — not due to genetics, but limited exposure to cognitive challenges.
• Test design and bias: Some traditional IQ tests may unintentionally favor culturally masculine skill sets, such as spatial reasoning, over verbal or social abilities.

Numerous studies — including longitudinal research published in Nature and Psychological Science — confirm that environmental enrichment can significantly raise IQ, particularly during developmental years.

In essence, biology and environment act together, not in competition.

Genes may provide the blueprint, but experience, education, and motivation build the architecture of intelligence.

Implications for Education and Workplace

Understanding that average IQ levels between men and women are nearly identical—and that each gender may demonstrate different cognitive strengths—has important consequences for how we design education systems and workplace policies.

1. Education

Schools and universities should focus on developing individual strengths rather than perpetuating outdated beliefs about gender-based intelligence differences. For example, while boys may often show stronger spatial reasoning skills, these can be improved in girls through targeted STEM education. Likewise, girls’ strengths in verbal and social reasoning can be used to enhance collaborative and communication-based learning across all genders.

Educational programs that provide equal access to challenging subjects—especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—help ensure that potential is nurtured regardless of gender. Research has shown that when social and environmental barriers are removed, the gender gap in math and science performance narrows significantly.

2. Workplace

In professional environments, the acknowledgment that cognitive potential is not determined by gender supports fair hiring, promotion, and leadership practices. Companies that emphasize diversity in thought, skill, and perspective often outperform those that rely on traditional or biased models of talent.

Training and mentorship programs should also address implicit gender biases—for example, assumptions that men are more analytical or that women are more empathetic. These stereotypes can limit career growth and reduce innovation within organizations.

3. Societal Impact

At a broader level, recognizing the equality of intellectual capacity between men and women encourages societies to challenge long-standing stereotypes, such as the notion that “men are smarter than women.” Such misconceptions can discourage women from pursuing leadership or STEM careers and can equally restrict men from developing emotional intelligence or communication skills.

As Phys.org notes, “Men and women do not differ in actual IQ.” The key lies in how opportunities, education quality, and cultural expectations shape intellectual development over time.

In workplaces, understanding IQ helps refine hiring processes. Related resources include:

How recruiters use IQ tests

IQ in the hiring process

Why employers trust IQ tests in 2025

These insights help organizations create fair evaluation standards.

Final Thoughts

So, what is the answer to “IQ of men vs women”?

The best evidence indicates no meaningful difference in average IQ between genders.

Some differences exist in variability and specific cognitive abilities, but these do not translate into overall intellectual superiority of one gender.

Gender differences in IQ are small or negligible, and more importantly, they are heavily influenced by environmental, educational and cultural factors.

Instead of focusing on which gender is smarter, the real question is how we create environments that allow everyone’s cognitive potential — regardless of gender — to flourish.

The smartest society is not one where men or women dominate IQ charts — it’s one where everyone has the opportunity to develop their minds fully.