Average IQ of displaced Somali school children = 67 Conflict and Instability: Decades of civil war have destroyed educational infrastructure and disrupted childhood development.  Malnutrition: Widespread child malnutrition, particularly protein deficiency, can impair brain development during critical growth periods.  Limited Access to Education: School attendance is low (estimated at 28–48%), and many children receive less than three years of formal schooling.  Health Challenges: High rates of disease, including malaria, force the body to prioritize immune function over brain development—a concept known as the "survival trade-off." Cultural and Test Bias: Standard IQ tests often favor Western educational styles and may not account for different learning or problem-solving approaches.  Methodological Concerns: The widely cited figure of 68 is traced to controversial research by Richard Lynn, whose work has been labeled "scientific racism" and is criticized for small, non-representative samples and questionable methodology.  AI generated and not fact checked.