IELTS Average Score by Country: Academic & General Detailed 2024

The International English Language Testing System popularly known as IELTS was introduced in the year 1989, it is an English language proficiency test among non-native speakers who want to study, work or migrate to countries where English is mostly spoken. The IELTS average score varies between 6.5-8 approximately. The average IELTS band score is calculated on the basis of evaluating all four sections, namely Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. The score in each section gets equal weightage. The average score is what determines knowledge and proficiency of the English language in candidates. Aspirants should be clear about the calculation framework behind their IELTS average test scores. This will help them carefully evaluate their preparation levels.

What is IELTS Average Score

The IELTS average score is 6.5-8 globally, though this can change depending on the year of the available data. The IELTS average score by country refers to the mean score obtained by test-takers on the IELTS exam over a specified period in the region.

Each section of the IELTS evaluates different language skills and is scored on a band scale ranging from 0 to 9, with 9 representing expert proficiency. If you want to study abroad and hence you are taking the IELTS, knowing what the IELTS average scores are is very important.

IELTS Average Scores- A Handy Guide 

This table will help you understand IELTS average scores-

Particular Modules	The Average Score Threshold
Listening	8
Speaking	7.5
Reading	7.5
Writing	7
Total	7.5

IELTS Band Score

The overall band score is calculated between 0-9. The average IELTS score is rounded upwards or downwards to the upcoming half/whole band. Here’s taking a closer look at the band scores and what they mean:

Band Score Figure	The Level of Skills	What It Basically Means
Band 9	Expert user	You possess complete operational control over the English language. Usage of the language is suitable, fluent and accurate and there is total understanding.
Band 8	Very good user	There is total operational control over the English language with only unsystematic inaccuracies happening occasionally and usage which is sometimes inappropriate. You may misunderstand a few things in situations that are not familiar although you can take care of detailed argumentation nicely.
Band 7	Good user	In this case, the aspirant has good operational command over English although there are occasional usage, accuracy and understanding deficiencies in some situations.    He/she can generally tackle complex language nicely and suitably understand the reasoning of a detailed nature.
Band 6	Competent user	Candidates in this band have effective English command in spite of usage that is inappropriate, inaccuracies and some misunderstandings. They can fairly understand and use complex language in situations of a more familiar nature.
Band 5	Modest user	Candidates in this band have partial English language command and are likely to cope nicely with overall meanings in most scenarios. However, they are likely to make mistakes too and should be capable of tackling basic communication in their fields.
Band 4	Limited user	The overall competence of candidates will be limited only to situations of a familiar nature. They will display problems frequently in expression, understanding and usage of complex language.
Band 3	Extremely limited user	Candidates can only understand and communicate general meanings in scenarios that are very familiar. There are frequent communication breakdowns too.
Band 2	Intermittent user	Aspirants have difficulties in understanding written and spoken English.
Band 1	Non-user	Candidates have zero ability to use the English language with the exception being some isolated words.
Band 0	Did not attempt the test	Candidates did not answer the questions at all.

Important Resources to Read About IELTS:

IELTS Speaking Topics	IELTS Writing Task 2	Opinion Essay IELTS
Important Vocabulary for IELTS	IELTS Band Score	Validity of IELTS Score
IELTS Reading Section	IELTS Essay Writing Samples	Essay on Historical Places
IELTS Test Report form	Benefits of IELTS Coaching	How to Cancel IELTS Exam

Country-Wise IELTS Average Score 

IELTS average scores are given below in this table- 

Country Name	Score for Reading	Score for Listening	Score for Writing	Score for Speaking	Total Score
Germany	7.7	7.9	6.3	7.4	7.4
Canada	6.9	7.2	6.1	7.2	6.9
France	7.1	7.0	5.9	6.6	6.7
China	6.2	5.9	5.5	5.4	5.8
Cambodia	5.6	5.9	5.5	5.8	5.8
Brazil	7.0	6.8	5.9	6.7	6.7
Greece	7.3	7.5	6.1	6.8	7.0
Colombia	6.8	6.5	5.8	6.5	6.5
Egypt	6.4	6.8	5.8	6.5	6.4
Korea	6.3	6.3	5.6	5.8	6.0
Indonesia	6.7	6.8	5.8	6.3	6.5
Japan	6.1	5.9	5.5	5.5	5.8
Jordan	6.1	6.4	5.6	6.5	6.2
Hong Kong	6.9	7.1	6.0	6.3	6.6
Italy	7.3	7.0	5.9	6.6	6.8
Kuwait	5.2	5.6	5.1	5.9	5.5
Oman	5.0	5.1	5.1	5.5	5.2
Mexico	6.7	6.6	5.8	6.5	6.5
Malaysia	7.1	7.4	6.1	6.8	6.9
Nigeria	6.5	7.0	6.2	7.2	6.8
Nepal	5.8	6.3	5.6	5.8	5.9
Philippines	6.8	7.3	6.1	6.8	6.8
Russia	6.9	7.0	6.0	6.7	6.7
Saudi Arabia	5.2	5.4	5.0	5.8	5.4
Qatar	5.1	5.6	5.0	5.8	5.4
Spain	7.3	7.2	6.0	6.8	6.9
Sri Lanka	6.2	6.6	5.8	6.5	6.3
Taiwan	6.3	6.3	5.6	6.0	6.1
Turkey	6.5	6.6	5.7	6.2	6.3
Thailand	6.1	6.4	5.5	5.9	6.0
United Arab Emirates	4.8	5.0	4.7	5.4	5.1
Ukraine	6.6	6.7	5.8	6.5	6.5
Vietnam	6.3	6.2	5.7	5.7	6.1

More Resources to Read About IELTS:

IELTS Band Score Chart	How to get 8 band in IELTS	Types of IELTS Exam
IELTS Slot Booking	IELTS Score for USA	Study in USA Without IELTS
Study in UK Without IELTS	IELTS Reading Band Score	IELTS Bar Graph
Writing Task 1 Line Graph	Collocation for IELTS	IELTS Reading Tips

General Training Mean performance

Here is a mean performance table for General Training:

Nationality	Reading band score	Listening band score	Writing band score	Speaking band score	Overall
France	6.9	7.1	6.1	6.9	6.8
Canada	6.6	7.1	6.2	7.0	6.8
United States of America	7.3	7.6	7.0	7.9	7.5
Cameroon	5.4	5.8	5.9	6.5	5.9
Brazil	6.8	6.9	6.1	6.8	6.7
Argentina	6.6	6.6	6.0	6.3	6.5
Colombia	6.2	6.3	5.8	6.4	6.2
Italy	6.3	6.4	5.8	6.4	6.3
China	6.3	6.3	5.8	5.9	6.2
Indonesia	5.8	6.1	5.7	6.0	6.0
Jamaica	6.7	7.2	6.7	8.0	7.2
Hong Kong	6.8	6.9	6.1	6.4	6.6
Korea	5.7	6.0	5.6	5.6	5.8
Japan	5.6	6.0	5.6	5.8	5.8
Nigeria	6.4	7.0	6.5	7.3	6.9
Malaysia	6.9	7.2	6.3	6.9	6.9
Spain	6.7	6.6	6.0	6.5	6.5
Mexico	6.5	6.6	6.0	6.6	6.5
Nepal	5.9	6.6	6.0	6.3	6.3
Philippines	5.7	6.3	5.8	6.3	6.1
Thailand	4.8	5.4	5.2	5.4	5.3
Saudi Arabia	4.4	5.1	4.8	5.5	5.0
Russia	7.0	7.0	6.2	6.7	6.8
Turkey	6.1	6.3	5.8	6.2	6.2
Sri Lanka	6.4	6.9	6.0	6.8	6.6
Taiwan	5.9	6.2	5.7	6.1	6.0
Ukraine	6.2	6.4	5.8	6.3	6.2

Average IELTS Score for India 

The average score band in India ranges between 5.5-6. Here is a table that shows the average scores. 

Nationality	India
Reading	5.82
Listening	6.3
Speaking	6.01
Writing	5.77
Total	6.04

More Resources to Read About IELTS:

IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic	IELTS Last Minute Tips	IELTS Academic Reading
IELTS Speaking Test format	How IELTS Exam is Conducted	Indian Education System Essay
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1	IELTS Academic Exam	IELTS General Writing Tips Task 2
MBA in Germany Without IELTS	How to Improve IELTS Score from 6.5 to 7	IELTS Speaking Tips

Listening Scores for IELTS

This is the very first module with 40 minutes’ duration and 30 minutes are given for appearing in it. There are four recorded dialogues, monologues and conversations. Multiple choice and short answer type questions have to be answered on the basis of the recordings. Here is a table that shows the marking of Listening scores:

Basic Score	Band Score Threshold
11- 12 range	4
13- 15 range	4.5
16- 17 range	5
18- 22 range	5.5
23- 25 range	6
26- 29 range	6.5
30- 31 range	7
32- 34 range	7.5
35- 36 range	8
37- 38 range	8.5
39- 40 range	9

Reading Scores for IELTS 

This module contains three lengthy passages that require approximately 60 minutes for completion. This table will demonstrate marking for both the IELTS General Training and Academic Training sections. 

IELTS Academic Reading- 

These tests are marked out of 40 and the raw score will be converted into a suitable band score.

Basic Score	Band Score Threshold
4- 5 range	2.5
6- 7 range	3
8- 9 range	3.5
10- 12 range	4
13- 14 range	4.5
15- 18 range	5
19- 22 range	5.5
23- 26 range	6
27- 29 range	6.5
30- 32 range	7
33- 34 range	7.5
35- 36 range	8
37- 38 range	8.5
39- 40 range	9

IELTS General Reading- 

This section also has 40 questions with every question containing a single mark each. The band scores are usually reported in increments of half and one point each. 

Basic Score	Band Score Threshold
6- 8 range	2.5
9- 11 range	3
12- 14 range	3.5
15- 18 range	4
19- 22 range	4.5
23- 26 range	5
27- 29 range	5.5
30- 31 range	6
32- 33 range	6.5
34- 35 range	7
36 range	7.5
37- 38 range	8
39 range	8.5
40 range	9

Writing Scores for IELTS 

The average writing score is 6.0 for IELTS. Task 1 will ask candidates for summarizing or explain any graph, table or chart within 150 words. Task 2 will need you to write a short essay within 250 words.

Recommended Reads:

IELTS Essay on Space Exploration	IELTS Test Format	IELTS General Training Exam
Formal Letter Writing Samples	Idioms for IELTS Speaking	Grammar for IELTS
IELTS Speaking Exam	Problem Solution Essay IELTS	MS in Germany Without IELTS
IELTS Semi Formal Letter Sample	Tips to Improve Pronunciation	IELTS Introduction Sample

Tips for Achieving Desired IELTS Scores

Achieving a desired IELTS score requires a strategic approach to preparation. By incorporating these tips into your preparation strategy, you can enhance your skills and increase your chances of achieving your desired IELTS score. Here are the essential tips:

1. Familiarize Yourself with the Test Format: Understand the structure and timing of each section to manage your time effectively during the test.

2. Practice Regularly: Engage in daily reading, listening, speaking, and writing exercises to enhance your English skills.

3. Enhance Vocabulary and Grammar: Diversify your vocabulary and practice using complex sentences correctly to improve lexical resources and grammatical range.

4. Take Mock Tests: Regularly complete full-length practice or mock tests to simulate the exam environment and identify areas needing improvement.

5. Develop Test-Taking Strategies: Learn techniques such as skimming and scanning for the Reading section and note-taking for the Listening section.

6. Seek Feedback: Have your writing and speaking tasks evaluated by teachers or peers to gain insights on areas to improve.

7. Focus on Weak Areas: Identify and target your weaker sections with additional practice and study materials.

8. Stay Calm and Confident: Maintain a positive mindset and practice relaxation techniques to reduce test-day anxiety.

Conclusion 

Understanding average IELTS scores is important for setting realistic goals and assessing your language proficiency. By getting to know about the score requirements for different institutions and countries, you can better prepare for the test and improve your chances of achieving your academic and professional aspirations.

Remember, consistent practice and familiarity with the test format are key to achieving your desired score. Aim high and use the resources available to maximize your potential.