Are We Getting Dumber? The Global Intelligence Decline and What It Means for Our Future

For nearly two centuries, humans have been getting smarter. IQ scores steadily climbed thanks to better education, healthier environments, and more intellectually stimulating lives. But now, scientists are sounding the alarm: that trend has reversed. We may be living through a global intelligence decline, and it’s not just about phone zombies and TikTok. It’s about how society, education, and technology are reshaping our brains—and not always for the better.

The Decline Is Real and Global

In the last decade, there’s been a noticeable rise in cognitive difficulties. More young people than ever report trouble concentrating, learning, and thinking. In fact, the number has doubled in just 20 years. While genetics haven’t suddenly changed, our environment has. The causes range from digital distractions and AI dependency to underfunded schools, processed food, sleep deprivation, and even lingering long COVID symptoms.

Researchers warn that even highly intelligent parents are now raising children with lower cognitive abilities—not because of genes, but because of the world we’re all living in.

What Happened to the Flynn Effect?

From the early 1900s through the 1990s, IQs were rising around the world—a phenomenon known as the Flynn Effect, named after researcher James Flynn. The reasons were largely environmental: fewer infectious diseases, improved childhood development, lead-free gasoline, more schooling, and better nutrition. But the Flynn Effect hit a wall in the early 2000s. Since then, IQ scores have been falling in multiple countries, including Norway, the U.S., and the U.K.

In Norway, for instance, a study tracking men born from 1962 to 1991 found that IQ scores peaked in the 70s and have since declined, despite an increase in national wealth from oil and gas.

Is Technology Making Us Lazy Thinkers?

Convenience has come at a cost. Since smartphones became mainstream around 2012, mental health and cognitive performance among teens have dropped. The correlation is too strong to ignore.

Today’s tech—especially social media and AI—is designed to keep us hooked, not challenged. Dopamine-driven algorithms reward us for scrolling, not thinking. Tasks that once required brainpower—like navigation, mental math, or writing—are now outsourced to AI tools. We’re getting maximum output with minimum input, and our brains are losing the workout.

The Skills Gap Is Real—and Widening

Despite growing up with technology, many young people can’t use it well. A Dell survey found that over one-third of Gen Z feel unprepared to use computers in the workplace. They’re comfortable with apps, but not spreadsheets. They can swipe, but not troubleshoot.

Meanwhile, older generations with strong computer literacy are aging out of the workforce. This is creating a dangerous technical gap, especially as jobs become more digital and reliant on foundational IT skills.

A Post-Literate Society?

Back in 1985, media theorist Neil Postman warned of a world where entertainment would eclipse truth. His book, Amusing Ourselves to Death, predicted that facts would give way to showmanship—and he was spot on.

We now consume more video than ever, and reading rates are in freefall. The Financial Times recently dubbed us a “post-literate society,” where multimedia is so dominant that literacy isn’t essential anymore. That might sound efficient, but it also means less critical thinking, less nuance, and less depth in our understanding of the world.

Age and Intelligence: Another Pressure Point

Add one more factor to the mix: aging leadership. The average American is now nearly 40, and many of our top decision-makers are well beyond their cognitive prime. As mental processing naturally declines with age, the risk is that our institutions—from government to business—may be running on yesterday’s mental software.

So What Does It All Mean?

This isn’t just about getting a few wrong answers on a quiz. It’s about whether society can sustain the world built by smarter generations. Can we maintain our infrastructure, innovate new solutions, or adapt to crises when our collective ability to think deeply is fading?

If we continue down this path—distracted, under-slept, over-stimulated, and unchallenged—we risk losing more than just IQ points. We risk losing our edge as a civilization.

It’s time to rethink how we use technology, how we educate, and how we engage our minds—before the decline becomes irreversible.

All writings are for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide investment or financial advice of any kind.