Resumen: Numerous studies have related emotional intelligence to academic performance, because education and its regulation play an important role in the cognitive processes involved in attention and in situations that require management and self-control. The main aim of this meta-analytical study is to investigate the relationship between academic performance and emotional intelligence. The study also addresses the role played by certain moderating factors, such as age, sex, country, geographical region, type of performance and psycho-developmental stage of individuals. A thorough review of the existing literature was undertaken, comprising 27 articles, 28 samples and 13,909 participants. The study was based on PRISMA protocols and consensus between the participating scientists. The results suggest that emotional intelligence is a valuable variable to predict academic performance, as it was shown to have a significant moderate-high effect size ( r =0.390 and p <0.001). In addition, although none of the regression models applied to moderating variables yielded relevant results, significant differences between geographical regions and type of performance measured were detected. It is concluded that setting up programmes to stimulate emotional intelligence at the school level can improve the personal development of individuals and also their academic performance. Idioma: Inglés DOI: 10.1016/j.tsc.2023.101355 Año: 2023 Publicado en: THINKING SKILLS AND CREATIVITY 49 (2023), 101355 [14 pp.] ISSN: 1871-1871 Factor impacto JCR: 3.5 (2023) Categ. JCR: EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH rank: 53 / 756 = 0.07 (2023) - Q1 - T1 Factor impacto CITESCORE: 7.3 - Education (Q1)