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Get ready for round two, with a jaw-dropping 265.2 million views worldwide in its first 91 days on Netflix, Squid Game is gearing up for its highly anticipated second season, dropping on December 26. As we eagerly await the return of heart-pounding action, where cash-strapped contestants risk it all in deadly children's games for the chance to become billionaires, we've got a fun twist to get you in the Squid Game spirit.
We surveyed 4,000 Americans on a mix of physical, psychological, and educational factors, and we're about to reveal which state would have the best shot at winning in this high-stakes game (in a hypothetical world, of course). Using a unique weighted scoring system, we've ranked each state on a survival index from 0 to 100. Let the games begin!
To claim the highest spots on our survival index, states needed to show confidence in a variety of key skills showcased by the show's winning characters.
Think strength, speed, balance, coordination, sharp strategic thinking, and the ability to forge alliances - all essential for coming out on top. But that's not all, we also factored in whether participants had a college degree, were part of MENSA, or had military experience. With stats like these, these states are clearly ready to take on the deadly games.
Leading the pack as the state most likely to conquer Squid Game is Virginia, boasting an impressive survival score of 76.2/100 on the index. Virginians are particularly confident in brainpower, with the second-highest percentage of MENSA members—essential for outsmarting the game’s strategic challenges. Combine that with 78% holding college degrees and 29% having served in the military, and you've got a state ready to tackle pretty much anything the games throw their way.
When it comes to physical confidence, Virginians excel in running, a crucial skill for Game 6: Squid Game, where players are required to run across the court to survive. Their strong sense of stability also positions them well for the nerve-wracking Red Light, Green Light. On the psychological side, 41% of Virginians rated themselves highly in strategic thinking, a critical advantage in navigating the games. Finally, their ability to form alliances gives them a strong edge when participating in Game 4: Marbles. Virginia clearly has what it takes to give Seong Gi-hun a run for his money.
Coming in at second place is New Mexico, with an impressive survival score of 70.2/100 - just behind Virginia. New Mexico’s strong shot at Squid Game victory comes from their confidence in stability and muscle strength. Strength is a game-changer during the infamous Tug of War, where the strongest players are encouraged to team up for success.
Adding to their edge, 100% of New Mexico respondents hold educational degrees, showcasing their intelligence alongside their physical ability. Above all, when asked if they’d join Squid Game tomorrow, a daring 40% said “bring it on,” proving they’ve got the guts to match their skills.
Securing third place is New Jersey, with a solid survival score of 63.9/100. What gives New Jersey its edge? For starters, 20% of respondents have served their country, bringing discipline and resilience to the table. On top of that, New Jerseyans are among the few to express confidence in their throwing ability—a crucial skill for Pre-Game Ddakji. Pair that with their sharp precision and solid running skills, and you’ve got a well-rounded contender for Squid Game.
When it comes to guts, one third of New Jersey respondents said they’d step into the arena if Squid Game became reality - not as bold as New Mexico, but still ready to face the challenge. With this mix of physical ability and strategic precision, New Jersey’s players are no underdogs.
Honorable mentions go to Louisiana in fourth place (61.8), and Washington and California in joint fifth place (61.4).
At the very bottom of the survival rankings is Arkansas, scoring just 35.4/100. 93% of respondents from Arkansas haven’t served in the military, 60% lack a college degree, and only 7% claim membership in MENSA, leaving their strategic and intellectual edge looking pretty slim.
The odds get even worse when it comes to physical and mental skillsets. Confidence in areas like boxing, martial arts, combat fighting, and stability is virtually nonexistent, which is trouble for the high-stakes challenges like Tug of War and the Interval.
Strategically, Arkansas doesn’t look much better. They ranked lowest in confidence when it comes to lying, keeping a poker face, or even cheating - key survival tactics for rounds like the Glass Stepping Stones. Better luck next time, Arkansans.
North Carolina ranks as the second least likely state to survive Squid Game, with a score of 36.5/100. Their chances take a hit due to a lack of confidence in some of the game’s core skills, including running, combat fighting, and strategic thinking. Just behind them, Kansas follows closely with a score of 38.6/100, struggling with similar weaknesses - particularly in boxing, running, and the all-important ability to form alliances. These states might need a major strategy overhaul if they hope to make it through the deadly games.
Whether you’re physically prepared for the brutal challenges Squid Game throws at you or have the mental toughness to outsmart your competition, it’s time to ask yourself: With season 2 just around the corner, do you truly have what it takes to survive the eerie battlefield of Squid Game?
We conducted a nationwide survey of 4,000 Americans to assess their confidence in the key skills demonstrated by the survivors of Squid Game (season one). To measure this, participants were asked to rate their confidence in each skill on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 = not confident at all, 5 = very confident).
Using this data, we applied a unique weighted scoring system to rank each state based on their confidence in these core skills, assigning each state a score on a scale from 1 to 100.
In total, 20 critical skills were evaluated as part of the study.
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