Written By: Jaya Pathak
Highest IQ in the World 2025: Meet the Top 10 Smartest People on Earth – From groundbreaking scientists to innovative thinkers, discover the extraordinary minds who top the global IQ charts in 2025. This list reveals the intellectual giants pushing the boundaries of knowledge, technology, and creativity, along with their achievements and contributions that make them the smartest individuals alive today.
Here are the Highest IQ in the World 2025 – Top 10 Smartest People on Earth Revealed
1. Terence Tao
- Born: July 17, 1975, Adelaide, Australia; age: 50
- Princeton University (1992–1996) was the educational institution. Fields Medal and Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics were obtained.
I knew this guy since I hit his math papers online a few years ago, like, yes, I tried digesting one once, and felt like a child looking at hieroglyphics. He was born in Australia in 1975, and is a UCLA professor with an estimated IQ of about 230. Imagine! He solved complicated mathematical problems as a toddler, yeah right, entered international math Olympiads at the age of 10.
In 2025, he continues producing breakthroughs in prime numbers and harmonic analysis stuff that can transform computing forever. I saw one of his TED-style talks; it makes you feel intelligent; he explains chaos theory in five minutes. What amazes me is that he apparently has no ego at all â he is a curious man to his very core. That I can pick his brain over a beer, I would find out how he keeps the momentum going when all falls within reach.
2. Christopher Hirata:
- Born: November 30, 1982, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA; age: 42
- Education: Deerfield High School, California Institute of Technology (2001), Princeton University (2005)
A mathematical genius, although with a twist of astrophysics. IQ of 225, and wait a minute mate, he was working at NASA at the age of 14, doing stuff with Mars missions or something crazy. Born in 1982 in the US, he has grown to be a professor at Ohio State, plunging into the dark matter and galaxy formations. He was in the news in 2025 over some paper on cosmic inflation that might rewrite textbooks.
I have a friend who likes space junk and he is praising Hirata like he is a rockstar. As an individual, I like how he began as a child prodigy and he was real, he went to college and finished it off at the age of 18, but he speaks about the connectedness to expectations. Makes you wonder, doesn t it? It must get lonely being that intelligent.
3. Kim Ung-Yong
- Born in Seoul, South Korea, on March 8, 1962, at the age of 63
- Education: The University of Colorado, Chungbuk National University, Gaesin Campus, 청주대앙교
he is from South Korea. His IQ is pegged at 210, and his’s story is a movie. He was born in 1962 and could speak four languages at the age of 4 and solve calculus at the age of 7. Was a NASA employee as a child, but the human side of it: he stopped reporting to work because he wanted to live a normal life, became a civil engineer and later teacher. As late as 2025, he continues to inspire through books on potential and happiness. I saw an interview in which he noted that high IQ does not equal happiness to me â I went after the so-called smart ambitions in this world and came out burnt. Sage advice of an icon.
4. Marilyn Vos Savant
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on August 11, 1946, at the age of 78; educated at Washington University in St. Louis She has always been popular with her column in Parade magazine, solving riddles. 1946, born 228 IQ in the US. She has addressed problems as diverse as probability puzzles and philosophy. In 2025, she is semi-retired and appears in podcasts dispelling beliefs. And I love her because she is the evidence that women have been ruling intellect ever since: her explanation of the Monty Hall problem rile the day. I would ask her of how to cope with naysayers; she has her share.
5. Magnus Carlsen
Born in Tønsberg Municipality, Norway, on November 30, 1990, at the age of 34 Books: How to Grind Like a Grandmaster: Persist Until Your Enemy Breaks He is known for the mindboggling achievements in the field of chess . IQ of about 190, born in 1990. Not only is he clever but he is a tactical monster, he is a world champion in chess. In 2025, he is entering into AI chess bots and even poker. Saw him play once online, the way he reads the moves is creepy. I am not much of a chess player, but his concentration motivates me in would-be-based problem-solving. Did you know: he also models, and that it can be brains and beauty.
6. Judit Polgar
Judit Polgar Born in Budapest, Hungary, on July 23, 1976, at the age of 49IQ170, born 1976. As a teenager, she defeated grandmasters and never competed in female-only events A bagged broken barriers big time. She is a coach and author of books in 2025. Her story is empowering: as a father, I would love my child to learn about her determination. She says that chess had taught her life lessons â endurance, planning. Spot on.
7. Andrew wiles
He is one of the best British mathematician and well known for his Fermat Last Theorem. Born in Cambridge, UK, on April 11, 1953, at the age of 72 Education: King’s College School, Merton College (1971–1974), The Leys School, and Clare College (1980) Award: Wolf Prize in Mathematics, Abel Prize He’s Estimated IQ 170 â 190, born 1953. That theorem baffled people centuries; he solved it in the 90s. In 2025, he continues to lecture at Princeton, where he continues to affect new gens. I have attempted to reason out his demonstration once â abandoned it in five minutes.
8. Ruth Lawrence
(Ruth Lawrence) is a UK prodigy in math. Born 1971: IQ 175. Degree of Oxford at 13! Dean of the Mathematics Department at Tel Aviv University, Israel, a prof working on knot theory. To become famous early must have been hard on her; she has written of the balance between genius and what is normal. In 2025, she is promoting gifted education. Relatable â town who has never felt out of place?
9. Grigory Perelman
He is the Russian recluse who solved the Poincare conjecture . Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on June 13, 1966, at the age of 59 Honors: Fields Medal Scholars: Yuri Burago and Aleksandr Aleksandrov. IQ is around 170 and born in 1966. He turn down a million dollar prize because he did not want the fame. In 2025 he is off the grid but his work influences the physics . Love his vibe – smart without the spotlight . He is also inspiration for many introvert people.
10. Ainan Cawley
A Singaporean teenager, IQ 263 (argued, but holy cow). Birth date 1999, a chemistry genius at age 7. He is in his 20s, revolutionizing something in 2025. I love kid geniuses; I hope he balances.
World’s Smartest Minds 2025: Top 10 Highest IQ Scores & Remarkable Achievements
| Rank | Name | IQ Score | Country | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terence Tao | 230 | Australia/USA | Mathematical prodigy, Fields Medal winner |
| 2 | Marilyn vos Savant | 228 | USA | Highest recorded IQ in Guinness World Records |
| 3 | Christopher Hirata | 225 | USA | NASA physicist at age 14 |
| 4 | Kim Ung-Yong | 225 | South Korea | Former NASA researcher, child prodigy |
| 5 | Rick Rosner | 192 | USA | TV writer with multiple IQ test records |
| 6 | Garry Kasparov | 190 | Russia | Chess grandmaster, former world champion |
| 7 | Judit Polgár | 170 | Hungary | Strongest female chess player in history |
| 8 | Stephen Hawking* | 160 | UK | Theoretical physicist, author of A Brief History of Time |
| 9 | Magnus Carlsen | 160 | Norway | Chess grandmaster, World Chess Champion |
| 10 | Sho Yano | 159 | USA | Physician & musical prodigy, MD at age 21 |
Conclusion :
These are not super geniuses alone but humans who stretch boundaries. IQ is good, but what you have do with it that really matters. Others silently transform the world, some pursue academic glory. Their bond, though, is not purely a sense of raw brilliance — passion, discipline, and, in most, a willingness to cut their own trail.
When anyone read their stories, they reminded that brilliance does not always have to come in a certain design. It is not just the test scores or initial accomplishments. Other times it is tenacity, modesty, or refusing to take advantage of peace. In a world where AI is on the increase and work getting harder, we will require such thinkers in 2025 as much as we will need them to engineer solutions to the mounting challenges, we need them to elevate the rest of us to achievements higher than we ever thought we could be.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who has the highest IQ in the world in 2025?
In 2025, Terence Tao, a mathematical prodigy with an IQ of 230, is considered the person with the highest recorded IQ.What is the highest possible IQ score?
Most IQ tests are scaled with a maximum score around 200, but exceptionally rare cases can score above 220 on specialized tests.Is IQ the only measure of intelligence?
No, IQ measures certain cognitive abilities like problem-solving and reasoning, but creativity, emotional intelligence, and practical skills are also important.Who is the smartest woman in the world in 2025?
Marilyn vos Savant, with an IQ of 228, remains one of the smartest women ever recorded.Can someone increase their IQ score?
While genetic factors play a big role, cognitive training, education, and mental exercises can help improve problem-solving skills and brain function.Which country has the most high-IQ individuals in 2025?
The USA leads the list in 2025, with several of the top 10 highest-IQ individuals hailing from the country.Are high-IQ people always successful?
Not necessarily. Success also depends on emotional intelligence, social skills, and life choices, not just raw IQ.What is considered a ‘genius’ IQ level?
Generally, an IQ score above 140 is considered in the ‘genius’ category.Has anyone scored 300 IQ?
No verified test has recorded an IQ score of 300; such scores are often myths or misinterpretations.Why are IQ rankings important?
IQ rankings highlight exceptional human capabilities and inspire research into how intelligence can benefit society in science, technology, and problem-solving.
