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Visual-spatial intelligence is the ability to perceive, analyze, and manipulate visual information in space. This includes the capacity to mentally visualize, create, and understand the spatial relationships between objects.
Spatially intelligent people are able to “think in three dimensions” and easily picture things from different angles and perspectives.
Visual-spatial intelligence is associated with skills like navigating, reading maps, assembling puzzles, and designing structures.
Is visual-spatial intelligence universal?
What percentage of the world’s population are deficient in visual-spatial intelligence? How to improve this valuable skill and type of intelligence?
Is it even possible to improve it and should you try to do it?
My updated visual-spatial intelligence statistics guide for 2025 has everything you need to know.
Use this link to quickly jump to the KEY STATS section.
All the references and resources I used in crafting my guide are listed at the bottom of the page.
Jump here: Key Visual-Spatial Intelligence Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year| Visual-Spatial Intelligence Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year (Detailed Info)
Table of Contents
Key Visual-Spatial Intelligence Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year
Key Visual-Spatial Intelligence Statistics, Facts and Trends for 2025
- Roughly 65% of the world’s population are visual learners, using visual-spatial intelligence as their primary learning style. (Source)
- Research indicates children who engage in block play and puzzles before age 5 show up to 15% higher spatial reasoning abilities later in life. (Source)
- Studies show that professional architects and engineers score on average 20-30% higher on visual-spatial tests compared to the general population. (Source)
- Video game players who regularly engage in 3D games show up to a 20% improvement in spatial reasoning skills after just 10 hours of gameplay. (Source)
- Human males and females generally show no significant difference in baseline visual-spatial intelligence. (Source)
- Children who participate in regular art activities show a 25-30% improvement in spatial reasoning over those who don’t. (Source)
- Musicians who read sheet music show enhanced visual-spatial abilities, with professional musicians scoring approximately 15% higher on spatial tests. (Source)
- Studies indicate that 85% of jobs in STEM fields require above-average visual-spatial skills. (Source)
- People with strong visual-spatial intelligence can recall approximately 40% more details from visual scenes compared to those with lower spatial abilities. (Source)
- Visual-spatial intelligence peaks around age 30 and then gradually declines by about 1% per year. (Source)
- Students with high visual-spatial intelligence are 3 times more likely to pursue careers in fields like architecture, engineering, and graphic design. (Source)
- Roughly 30% of gifted children demonstrate exceptionally high visual-spatial abilities. (Source)
- Regular practice of spatial tasks improves visual-spatial intelligence by up to 25% within 3 months. (Source)
- People with strong visual-spatial skills can mentally rotate 3D objects about 40% faster than those with average abilities. (Source)
- Studies show visual-spatial intelligence is approximately 40% hereditary and 60% influenced by environmental factors. (Source)
- Children who learn mathematics through visual methods show a 35% better understanding of complex concepts. (Source)
- Individuals with high visual-spatial intelligence can process visual information approximately 60,000 times faster than textual information. (Source)
- About 15% of the population has exceptionally high visual-spatial intelligence, scoring in the top percentile on standardized tests. (Source)
- Regular meditation practitioners show a 12-15% improvement in visual-spatial processing abilities. (Source)
- Students who use mind mapping techniques remember approximately 10-15% more information than those using traditional note-taking methods. (Source)
- People with strong visual-spatial skills are 25% more likely to excel in fields requiring pattern recognition. (Source)
- Bilingual individuals score about 10% higher on visual-spatial tests compared to monolingual individuals. (Source)
- Visual-spatial intelligence exercises help reduce cognitive decline by up to 20% in older adults. (Source)
- Children who regularly play with construction toys show a 30% improvement in spatial reasoning skills over those who don’t. (Source)
- Individuals with high visual-spatial intelligence can solve complex puzzles up to 40% faster than those with average abilities. (Source)
Visual-Spatial Intelligence Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year (Detailed Info)
What Percentage of People in the World Are Visual Learners?
~65% of people in the general population are visual learners, using visual-spatial intelligence as their primary learning style. (Source)
About 15% of the population has exceptionally high visual-spatial intelligence, scoring in the top percentile on standardized tests. (Source)
Is There a Large Gender Difference in Visual-Spatial Intelligence?
There’s no large gender difference in visual-spatial intelligence. Males and females generally show no significant difference in baseline visual-spatial intelligence.
This is despite some occasional evidence that men slightly outperform women at certain tasks.
For example, in egocentric spatial cognition which involves locating elements in space by reference to one’s own body rather than other objects. (Source)
What Impact Does Early Age Block Play and Puzzle Solving Have on Spatial Reasoning?
Research indicates children who engage in block play and puzzles before age 5 show up to 15% higher spatial reasoning abilities later in life. (Source)
And once these children turn into adults they’ll be able to solve complex puzzles up to 40% faster than those with average visual-spatial abilities. (Source)
Playing with blocks and solving puzzles isn’t the only way to boost visual-spatial intelligence.
Research shows that children who participate in regular art activities demonstrate a 25-30% improvement in spatial reasoning over those who don’t. (Source)
Several studies (I link to these in the reference section of my stats page) also show that children who learn mathematics through visual methods show a 35% better understanding of complex concepts. (Source)
And children who regularly play with construction toys get a 30% improvement in spatial reasoning skills over those who don’t. (Source)
Finally, about 30% of gifted children demonstrate exceptionally high visual-spatial abilities which predisposes them to become visual learners in the future. (Source)
Note: children love to play video games. So it’s worth noting that video game players who regularly engage in 3D games show up to a 20% improvement in spatial reasoning skills after just 10 hours of gameplay. (Source)
Do Architects and Engineers Score Better on Visual-Spatial Tests than Other People?
Studies show professional architects and engineers typically score 20-30% higher on visual-spatial tests compared to the general population. (Source)
University students with high visual-spatial intelligence are 3 times more likely to pursue careers in fields like architecture, engineering, and graphic design. (Source)
What is the Connection Between Musical Training and Visual-Spatial Ability?
Musicians who read sheet music show enhanced visual-spatial and sensorimotor abilities, with professional musicians scoring approximately 15% higher on spatial tests. (Source)
It’s hypothesized that musicians learn to associate sensory information with fine motor movements (kinesthetic intelligence) as a result of their long-term musical training and their experience-dependent activities. (Source)
What is the Hereditary Versus Environmental Influence on Visual-Spatial Intelligence?
Studies show that visual-spatial intelligence is approximately 40% hereditary and 60% influenced by environmental factors. (Source)
This shows that visual-spatial intelligence can be improved with practice and dedication. See below for more details.
At What Age Does Visual-Spatial Intelligence Peak? When Does it Start Declining? Can it Be Improved at any Age?
Research suggests that visual-spatial intelligence peaks around age 30 and gradually declines by about 1% per year afterward. (Source)
However, it’s possible to slow down or even stop visual-spatial intelligence decline, regardless of age.
Regular meditation practitioners show a 12-15% improvement in visual-spatial processing abilities. (Source)
And visual-spatial intelligence exercises help reduce cognitive decline by up to 20% in older adults. (Source)
How Much Faster is Visual Processing Compared to Textual Processing?
Individuals with high visual-spatial intelligence process visual information approximately 60,000 times faster than textual information. (Source)
Furthermore, students who use mind mapping techniques remember approximately 10-15% more information than those using traditional note-taking methods. (Source)
Are Visual-Spatial Thinkers Proficient in Pattern Recognition?
Yes, visual-spatial thinkers are proficient in pattern recognition.
In fact, people with strong visual-spatial skills are 25% more likely to excel in fields requiring pattern recognition. (Source)
Research also indicates that bilingual individuals score about 10% higher on visual-spatial tests compared to monolingual individuals. (Source)
This is logical because most bilingual people are fluent in two related languages so knowing one helps them recognize the common patterns in other.
Pattern matching is part of the reason why languages from the same family are much easier to learn than languages from completely different language groups.
Do People with Strong Visual-Spatial Intelligence Remember More Visual Details than Other People?
People with strong visual-spatial intelligence recall approximately 40% more details from visual scenes compared to those with lower spatial abilities. (Source)
Visual-Spatial Intelligence Statistics, Facts and Trends for 2025 (FAQ)
What is Visual Spatial Intelligence (Definition and Meaning)?
Visual spatial intelligence is the ability to perceive, analyze, and manipulate visual information in space. It includes the capacity to mentally visualize, create, and understand the spatial relationships between objects.
Spatially intelligent people are able to “think in three dimensions” and easily picture things from different angles or perspectives.
Visual-spatial intelligence is a concept within Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences where some people learn best by seeing and imagining in their mind’s eye.
According to Howard Gardner’s model, other intelligences besides visual-spatial are:
- Musical;
- Interpersonal;
- Naturalistic;
- Body-Kinesthetic;
- Verbal-linguistic;
- Logical-mathematical;
- Intrapersonal;
Emotional intelligence is also important, but isn’t a part of core 8 types of intelligences.
What are Some Visual-Spatial Intelligence Examples and Activities?
Examples of visual-spatial intelligence include:
- navigating using a map;
- mentally picturing how a room would look after rearranging furniture;
- solving puzzles like jigsaw puzzles or Rubik’s cubes;
- understanding spatial relationships in architecture;
- accurately judging distances while driving or walking through a crowd.
Activities to develop visual-spatial intelligence include playing chess, building with blocks, doing origami, completing mazes, and drawing from different perspectives.
What are Key Characteristics of Visual-Spatial Intelligence?
Key characteristics of visual-spatial intelligence are:
- Spatial awareness. A keen understanding of their surroundings, including distance, proportion, and relative positions of objects.
- Mental imagery. The ability to create and manipulate mental pictures of objects within the mind.
- Navigation skills. Easily navigating using maps and landmarks, having a good sense of direction.
- Pattern recognition. Quickly identifying patterns and relationships in visual information.
- Visual memory. Remembering details of visual information like images and scenes.
- Artistic ability. Enjoying and excelling in visual arts like drawing, painting, and design.
- Puzzle solving. Being adept at solving visual puzzles like Rubik’s cubes.
- Graph interpretation. Easily understanding and analyzing graphs, charts, and diagrams.
- Spatial reasoning. Being able to mentally rotate and manipulate objects in space.
- Visual perception. Accurately perceiving and interpreting visual information.
This list of visual-spatial intelligence characteristics isn’t exhaustive.
What are Some Famous Persons in History that Have or Have Had High Visual Spatial Intelligence?
Some famous people historically recognized as having high visual spatial intelligence include:
- Leonardo da Vinci;
- Michelangelo;
- Frank Lloyd Wright;
- Vincent van Gogh;
- Galileo Galilei;
- Gustave Eiffel;
- Georgia O’Keeffe…
These famous people are all known for their exceptional ability to visualize and design complex structures in fields like art, architecture, and engineering.
What are Some Careers and Jobs Good for People With High Visual-Spatial Intelligence?
Some careers and jobs good for people with high spatial-visual intelligence are:
- Architect;
- Neurosurgeon;
- Air Traffic Controller;
- 3D Animator;
- Mechanical Engineer;
- Professional Race Car Driver;
- Urban Planner;
- Industrial Designer;
- Military Fighter Pilot;
- Structural Geologist.
These are jobs and careers where high visual-spatial intelligence is required.
This list isn’t exhaustive.
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Visual-Spatial Intelligence?
The advantages of visual-spatial intelligences are:
- Spatial reasoning– individuals with strong visual-spatial intelligence excel at understanding spatial relationships, directions, and navigating environments.
- Visual problem solving– they readily visualize objects and situations. This makes them adept at solving puzzles, designing, and creating models.
- Geometric understanding– they often have a strong intuitive grasp of geometry, patterns, and shapes.
- Artistic and creative abilities– their ability to visualize and manipulate images lends itself well to artistic endeavors and creative thinking.
- Strong recall of visual information– they often have a good memory for visual details and easily recognize patterns.
Disadvantages of visual spatial intelligence are:
- Difficulties with verbal or sequential information– they struggle with tasks involving verbal instructions, sequential tasks, or remembering information that isn’t visually presented.
- Organizational and time management challenges– some individuals with visual-spatial strength find it difficult to manage their time, organize information, or prioritize tasks.
- Challenges with math and reading comprehension– some individuals with high visual-spatial intelligence struggle with certain mathematical concepts or with reading comprehension (given that many aspects of mathematics require visual-spatial skills).
- Difficulty in interpreting verbal information– visual-spatial learners have difficulty interpreting information that is primarily presented verbally. May struggle with math and science because they have difficulty with symbols and calculations.
This list of visual-spatial intelligence disadvantages isn’t exhaustive.
Visual-Spatial Intelligence Statistics, Facts and Trends for 2025 (Conclusion)
My updated guide for 2025 lists the best and latest statistics, facts and trends about visual-spatial intelligence.
Now you know how to best take advantage of it if you’re someone who likes to take in visual information and translate it in your your unique understanding and perception of the world.
References:
- Visual-Spatial Intelligence | Overview, Skills & Examples- https://study.com/academy/lesson/visual-intelligence-definition-lesson-quiz.html
- A Teacher’s Guide to Visual-Spatial Intelligence- https://mybrightwheel.com/blog/visual-spatial-intelligence
- Understanding and Developing Visual-Spatial Intelligence- https://www.verywellmind.com/visual-spatial-intelligence-8628123
- Visual-spatial Intelligence: Definition, Characteristics, and Activities for its Development- https://www.learningbp.com/visual-spatial-intelligence-definition-characteristics-activities-development/
- Improve Your Spatial Intelligence- Best Games & Activities!- https://www.mentalup.co/blog/spatial-intelligence-examples-and-activities
- Spatial IQ- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/tests/iq/visual-spatial-intelligence-test
- Spatial intelligence (psychology)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spatial_intelligence_(psychology)
- Visual-Spatial Learners: Style & Characteristics- https://brainspring.com/orton-gillingham-weekly/visualspatial-learners-style-characteristics/
- 15 Tips To Help Kids Develop Spatial Visualization Skills- https://magrid.education/15-tips-to-help-kids-develop-spatial-visualization-skills/
- 10 Spatial Intelligence Examples, Pros & Cons- https://helpfulprofessor.com/spatial-intelligence-examples-pros-cons/
- What Is Visual-Spatial Learning? (With Characteristics)- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/what-is-visual-spatial-learning
- Visual–Spatial Ability Predicts Academic Achievement Through Arithmetic and Reading Abilities- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8063904/
- How do you guys do on this visual spatial test? I thought I had NLD until I took this test and got a 70.- https://www.reddit.com/r/aspergers/comments/w72mdu/how_do_you_guys_do_on_this_visual_spatial_test_i/
- Visual-Spatial Ability Test- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/visual-spatial-ability-test
- Meeting the Needs of Visual-Spatial Learners- https://www.hampton.k12.va.us/departments/gifted/Visual%20Spatial%20HCS.pdf
- 24 Careers That Require Spatial Awareness (With Salary Info)- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/spatial-awareness-careers
- The 9 Intelligences of Multiple Intelligence Theory Skills & Career Possibilities Summary- https://www.ptc.edu/sites/default/files/documents/student_services/9%20Intelligences%20of%20MI%20Skills%20and%20Career%20Possibilities2.pdf
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.