I once read that one difference between England and Germany, is that English people/society, relies/trusts on the government/authorities to take care of them, to make the best decisions for their people, so that's why English people don't (or didn't) need (ed) to be smart chaps. They trust (blindly?) everything gonna be alright because authorities (royalty?) will take care of it (and historically speaking, that used to be the case).
While in Germany, people is raised to be much more inquisitive, independent and "smart", because governments might not always gonna be there for you.
So that's why, the person with the lowest paying jobs in England, for example, let's say, a shop clerk, won't be the brightest around, and would barely know to do the minimum. A simpleton (because that was enough to have a good life).
While the same shop clerk in Germany, will know at least 2 languages and be the smartest person all around.
Judging by current events (Brexit, buying into propaganda, going the US route) and personal experience that sounds spot on.