When we talk about the smartest people in the world in 2025, we’re diving into a fascinating mix of brilliant minds shaping the future. These individuals stand out for their groundbreaking ideas, problem solving skills, and contributions across fields like technology, science, and innovation. In 2025, the world’s smartest people aren’t just book smart, they’re pioneers pushing boundaries in artificial intelligence, space exploration, and sustainability. Think of visionaries leading companies, researchers unlocking mysteries of the universe, or inventors redefining how we live. This topic explores who these remarkable people are, what makes them tick, and why their intelligence matters in 2025. From tech moguls to scientific geniuses, the smartest people in the world this year inspire us all to think bigger and aim higher.
The Top 10 Smartest People In The World In 2025 (IQ Rankings)
10. Elon Musk (IQ: 155)
Born on June 28, 1971, in South Africa, Elon Musk is a global entrepreneur and CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and X, with a net worth of $330 billion in March 2025, making him the world’s richest person. His IQ is estimated from a youth test, with some sources citing a score of 155 on the CAT test, though exact comparisons to standard IQ tests are debated. Musk’s achievements include leading Mars colonization efforts and electric vehicle innovation, serving as a senior advisor in the U.S. government in 2025. His inclusion at number 10 highlights how IQ rankings can differ from public perception, given his massive impact in technology.
9.Judit Polgár (IQ: 170)
Born on July 23, 1976, in Hungary, Judit Polgár is a chess grandmaster and the strongest female player in history. She achieved the Grandmaster title at 15, with a peak rating of 2735, and won the Hungarian Chess Championship in 1991. Her IQ is estimated at 170 based on her exceptional chess skills, as chess grandmasters typically have IQs above 150, and her dominance suggests a higher score. Retired from competitive play since 2014, she remains active in coaching and was awarded Hungary’s highest decoration in 2015.
8.Noam Chomsky (IQ: 180)
Born on December 7, 1928, Noam Chomsky is an American linguist and philosopher, considered the father of modern linguistics. His work on universal grammar and political critiques, with over 100 books, remains influential. At 97 in 2025, he’s active despite a 2023 stroke, and his IQ is estimated at 180 based on his profound contributions, though no specific score is recorded. His age and health may affect cognitive abilities, but his legacy endures.
7.Magnus Carlsen (IQ: 190)
Born on November 30, 1990, Magnus Carlsen is a Norwegian chess grandmaster and the current World Chess Champion, with a peak rating of 2882. His IQ is estimated at 190 based on his strategic mastery, as top chess players often have high IQs, and his dominance in tournaments like Norway Chess in 2025 supports this. At 35, he continues to lead the chess world, showcasing his intellectual prowess.
6.Edward Witten (IQ: 190)
Born on August 26, 1951, Edward Witten is an American theoretical physicist at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, known for string theory and quantum gravity. He was the first physicist to win the Fields Medal in 1990, with over 300 papers. His IQ is estimated at 190 based on his groundbreaking work, though no specific score is recorded. At 74 in 2025, he remains active, shaping physics and math.
5.Manahel Thabet (IQ: 200)
Born in 1981, Manahel Thabet is a Yemeni-Saudi scientist and economist with multiple PhDs, including financial engineering at 25, making her the youngest to earn it with honors. Her IQ is estimated at 200 based on her prodigy status and over 120 awards, including her 2024 appointment as special envoy for science by the Commonwealth. At 44 in 2025, she’s a leader in science and business.
4.Kim Ung-Yong (IQ: 210)
Born on March 8, 1962, Kim Ung-Yong is a South Korean civil engineer and former child prodigy with a reported IQ over 210, tested at age 4, with some sources citing 210. He solved calculus at three, spoke five languages by five, and worked at NASA from age seven to seventeen. Now 63, he leads a quieter life as a professor, focusing on civil engineering, with his early IQ score placing him high on this list.
3.Christopher Hirata (IQ: 225)
Born on November 30, 1982, Christopher Hirata is an American astrophysicist and professor at Ohio State University. A child prodigy, he won a gold medal at the International Physics Olympiad at 13 and earned a PhD from Princeton at 22. His IQ is reported at 225 from youth tests, supported by his cosmology research and awards like the Helen B. Warner Prize. At 43 in 2025, he’s a leading scientist.
2.Marilyn vos Savant (IQ: 228)
Born on August 11, 1946, Marilyn vos Savant is an American columnist with a recorded IQ of 228, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records from childhood tests. Since 1986, she’s written “Ask Marilyn” for Parade magazine, solving puzzles and popularizing the Monty Hall problem. At 79 in 2025, she remains active, recognized for her logical insights, making her one of the highest IQ individuals.
1.Terence Tao (IQ: 230)
Born on July 17, 1975, Terence Tao is an Australian-American mathematician at UCLA, winner of the Fields Medal in 2006. His work spans harmonic analysis, number theory, and more, with over 300 papers. His IQ is estimated at 230 based on reports, though not officially confirmed, reflecting his prodigy status, solving college-level math at 9. At 50 in 2025, he’s a leading figure, recently contributing to geometric measure theory
