First-born Children Are More Likely to Be Intelligent

If you’re older than your siblings, you’re likely to be smarter than them too.

A new study has shown first-born children get an IQ boost, which is thought to come from having to teach their younger brothers and sisters.

Scientists also suggest that the time you spend getting your parents' undivided attention means you end up learning more before the other kiddies come along. 

Don't worry, the difference in IQ doesn't exactly mean you can't be a brain surgeon. 

Scientists at The Leipzig University who carried out the study estimate a 1.5 drop in IQ points per sibling.

However, in a two-child family the eldest won’t necessarily dominate.

They have a six in ten chance of a higher IQ, so their younger relatives still have a strong chance of overtaking them.

As well as demonstrating a heightened intelligence, older children also displayed an increased perception of their brain power.

Younger siblings also tend to see themselves as less bright. 

The study’s data came from IQ and personality tests from three national studies, one from the UK, involving more than 20,000 people all together.