For over a century, women scored below men in the IQ stakes, but it seems the fairer sex is gaining in brain power.

According to recent data from IQ expert James Flynn, women are not only catching up to men on IQ tests, in some instances they are even overtaking men.

Flynn reviewed IQ test data from 500 men and 500 women between the ages of 15 and 18 in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Estonia and Argentina.

"In all of those samples, women are the equal of men, perhaps scoring a half point or a point higher," he told Live Science.

Flynn tested people using a standard IQ test otherwise known as the Raven test.

In the last century, women were behind men in the IQ stakes by as much as five points.

Flynn believes the increase in women's IQs is the result of modernity.

In an interview with ABC News, he said, "In every country where women have an equal chance of modernity, women have caught men [in IQ testing]."

Flynn is writing a book at present based on IQ and gender which will include these findings.