Average height of people in countries around the world

Have you ever wondered why countries globally differ in average height? Genetics alone don’t explain it! Dutch and German genetics are similar, yet the Dutch are taller. Moreover, height is more than just a health indicator; every nation strives for the tallest status. Which country leads in height? Let’s “decode” the average height of nations worldwide.

Why is height crucial for a nation?

Height mirrors a nation’s pride, health metrics, social conditions, and economic development. That’s why height is significant for a country.

To some extent, height reflects the pride of a nation.

To some extent, height reflects the pride of a nation.

Height reflects a nation’s health

Throughout childhood, height signals robust development, reflecting nutrition and favorable conditions. Nations with protein-rich diets tend to have better average heights.

Height as a mirror of societal happiness

Good prenatal and childhood healthcare fosters optimal growth. Typically, we grow taller, barring extreme circumstances like famine or war.

Height mirrors economic status

Economists link nutrition and social welfare to economic conditions. Thus, height reflects a nation’s economic state.

Factors influencing a country’s height

Considerable global height variations are influenced by genetic and environmental factors.

Genetics impact height

Height partly results from the interaction of various genes. Recent scientific breakthroughs reveal about 700 genetic variations linked to height. Family members sharing ideal height increases your likelihood. Conversely, a height-challenged family reduces your chances.

Nutrition impacts height

Nutrition significantly determines human height. Our bodies convert stored energy from nutrient-rich foods into energy that supports bone growth.

Diet is a factor leading to the disparity in height among nations.

Diet is a factor leading to the disparity in height among nations.

Humans adapt to low-energy or malnourished diets by slowing growth, leading to stunted development. Hence, insufficient diets yield shorter average heights, even with similar genetic backgrounds.

Health impacts height

Health, particularly during childhood, significantly affects human height. Illnesses in childhood can restrict development by depleting available nutrients and increasing metabolic demands.

Immigration introduces new height dynamics

Studies on immigrants demonstrate height differences between natives and immigrants. Migration from poorer to wealthier nations alters diets and healthcare, leading to intergenerational height differences.

The average height of countries worldwide

As mentioned, height differences result not only from genetics but also from varied living conditions. Observing the global average height, distinct disparities are evident. Europeans have the tallest average height, followed by Australians, while individuals from South and Southeast Asia tend to be shorter.

(* According to World Data statistics)

Asia

Asia is vast, encompassing different regions such as Central, West, Southeast, East, and South Asia. While countries in West, East, and Central Asia boast average heights for males ranging from 5’7″ (171cm) to 5’3″ (160cm) for females, South and Southeast Asian regions are comparatively shorter [5’5″ (166cm) for males and 5’1″ (155cm) for females].

The average height of people in Asia

The average height of people in Asia is 5’7″ – 5’3″ (171cm – 160cm).

Below are the average heights for males and females in some representative Asian countries, in feet and inches:

  • Russia: 5’9″ – 5’5″ (176cm – 164cm)
  • Turkey: 5’9″ – 5’3″ (176cm – 161cm)
  • Arab: 5’8″ – 5’3″ (173cm – 160cm)
  • Iran: 5’9″ – 5’3″ (175cm – 161cm)
  • China: 5’9″ – 5’4″ (175cm – 163cm)
  • Taiwan: 5’8″ – 5’3″ (173cm – 160cm)
  • Japan: 5’8″ – 5’2″ (172cm – 158cm)
  • Thailand: 5’7″ – 5’3″ (171cm – 159cm)
  • Vietnam: 5’6″ – 5’2″ (168cm – 158cm)
  • Indonesia: 5’5″ – 5’1″ (166cm – 154cm)

Europe

European countries currently lead the world in terms of height. According to statistics, Western European nations have an average height of 5’11” (180cm) for males and 5’5″ (166cm) for females. Similarly, Southern Europe stands at 5’9″ (176cm) – 5’4″ (163cm), Eastern Europe at 5’10” (178cm) – 5’5″ (165cm), and Northern Europe at 5’10.5″ (179cm) – 5’5″ (165cm).

Europe is the region with the highest average height in the world.

Europe is the region with the highest average height in the world.

Below are the average heights for males and females in some prominent European countries, in feet, inches, and centimeters:

  • Netherlands: 6’0″ – 5’7″ (184cm – 170cm) Tallest country globally
  • Montenegro: 6’0″ – 5’7″ (183cm – 170cm) Second tallest country globally
  • Denmark: 6’0″ – 5’7″ (182cm – 169cm) Third tallest country globally
  • Estonia: 6’0″ – 5’6″ (182cm – 168cm)
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina: 6’0″ – 5’6″ (182cm – 167cm)
  • Iceland: 5’11” – 5’6″ (181cm – 168cm)
  • Czech Republic: 5’11” – 5’6″ (181cm – 168cm)
  • Slovenia/ Slovakia/ Croatia: 5’11” – 5’6″ (181cm – 167cm)
  • Sweden: 5’11” – 5’6″ (180cm – 167cm)
  • Finland: 5’11” – 5’5″ (180cm – 166cm)
  • Germany: 5’11” – 5’5″ (180cm – 166cm)
  • Switzerland: 5’10” – 5’5″ (179cm – 164cm)

Africa

The average height of men in African countries is 5’7″ (169.6cm). Specifically, male heights in each region are as follows: 5’6.5″ (169cm) in Central and Southern Africa, 5’8″ (173cm) in North Africa, 5’6″ (167cm) in East Africa, and 5’7″ (170cm) in West Africa.

The average height of women in African countries is 5’2.5″ (158.8cm). Within each region, female heights vary as follows: 5’2″ (158cm) in Central Africa, 5’2.5″ (159cm) in Southern Africa, 5’3.5″ (161cm) in North Africa, 5’2″ (157cm) in East Africa, and 5’2.5″ (159cm) in West Africa.

The height of people in Africa varies across regions.

The height of people in Africa varies across regions.

Here are the average heights for males and females in some notable African countries, in feet, inches, and centimeters:

  • Morocco: 5’9″ – 5’3″ (175cm – 161cm)
  • Algeria: 5’9″ – 5’4″ (174cm – 162cm)
  • Egypt: 5’8″ – 5’3″ (173cm – 160cm)
  • Mauritius: 5’8″ – 5’3″ (173cm – 159cm)
  • Chad: 5’7″ – 5’4″ (171cm – 162cm)
  • Sudan/ Cameroon: 5’7″ – 5’3″ (171cm – 160cm)
  • Nigeria: 5’7″ – 5’2″ (170 cm – 158cm)
  • Kenya: 5’7″ – 5’3″ (170cm – 159cm)
  • South Africa: 5’6″ – 5’2″ (169 cm – 158cm)
  • Central Africa: 5’6″ – 5’3″ (168cm – 159cm)

The Americas

The United States was once the tallest nation globally, but it was soon overtaken by the Netherlands and European countries. Generally, the average height of men in the Americas remains impressive at 5’8″ (173.5cm). Meanwhile, the average height for women is 5’3″ (160.25cm).

Here are the average heights for males and females in some prominent countries in the Americas, in feet, inches, and centimeters:

  • Canada: 5’10” – 5’5″ (178 cm – 165cm)
  • Mexico: 5’7″ – 5’2″ (170cm – 157cm)
  • United States: 5’10” – 5’4″ (177cm – 163cm)
  • Brazil: 5’9″ – 5’4″ (175cm – 162cm)
  • Argentina: 5’9″ – 5’3″ (174cm – 161cm)
  • Venezuela: 5’8″ – 5’3″ (173cm – 160cm)
  • Colombia: 5’7″ – 5’2″ (171cm – 158cm)
  • Bolivia: 5’6″ – 5’1″ (168cm – 155cm)
  • Ecuador: 5’6″ – 5’1″ (167cm – 155cm)

Australia and Oceania

The average height of men in Australia is 5’10” (178cm), and for women, it is 5’5″ (165cm). Generally, countries in Oceania do not vary significantly in terms of height. Here are the average heights for males and females in some notable countries in Australia and Oceania, in feet, inches, and centimeters:

The average height of men in Australia

The average height of men in Australia is 5’10” (178cm), and for women, it is 5’5″ (165cm).

  • Australia: 5’10” – 5’5″ (179cm – 165cm)
  • New Zealand: 5’10” – 5’5″ (178cm – 165cm)
  • Tonga: 5’9″ – 5’5″ (175cm – 166cm)
  • Samoa: 5’8″ – 5’4″ (173cm – 163cm)
  • Tuvalu: 5’7″ – 5’4″ (171cm – 163cm)
  • Kiribati: 5’7″ – 5’3″ (170cm – 161cm)
  • Palau: 5’7″ – 5’3″ (170cm – 159cm)
  • Micronesia: 5’6″ – 5’3″ (169cm – 159cm)
  • Nauru: 5’6″ – 5’2″ (169cm – 158cm)

Comparing heights across continents

Overall, the average height of people on each continent has shown positive changes compared to previous generations. However, the rate of growth varies across continents.

It is evident that Europe stands out with the tallest average heights compared to other continents. About 20 of the top-ranking countries in the global height chart are from Europe. Among them, the Netherlands, Montenegro, and Estonia have surpassed the United States, ranking first, second, and third, respectively. Meanwhile, Africa and Asia have relatively modest regional average heights.

The height disparities worldwide not only reflect genetic differences but also disparities in living standards.

Read more: What is the average height of Americans?

The average height of people worldwide?

The global average height for adult men is 5 feet and 7 inches (171 cm). This figure varies significantly across many countries. The shortest are men in East Timor, with an average height of 5 feet and 3 inches (159 cm), while the tallest are in the Netherlands, with an average height of 6 feet and 0 inches (184 cm), representing a 25 cm difference.

Women are typically 12 cm shorter than men. The global average height for adult women is 5 feet and 3 inches (161 cm). The country with the shortest women is Guatemala, with an average height of 4 feet and 11 inches (151 cm), differing by 19 cm from the tallest nation, the Netherlands, with an average height of 5 feet and 7 inches (170 cm).

The relationship between height and weight

Height and weight are correlated. Both are considered indicators of a person’s healthy development during childhood and adolescence. When one of these indicators deviates from the norm, the other is also affected.

For instance, if your bone structure can only support a weight of 121 pounds (55kg), exceeding this weight could be classified as overweight or obesity. This exerts significant pressure on the joints, impeding growth. Additionally, the diet and exercise regimen of overweight individuals also contribute to insufficient nutrition for strong bones.

The relationship between height and weight is also expressed through the body mass index (BMI), calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m). A result below 18.5 indicates underweight; 18.5–22.9 is considered normal for Asians and 18.5–24.9 for non-Asians; surpassing 23 (for Asians) or 25 categorizes one as overweight or obese.

We hope this useful information has helped broaden your knowledge. Don’t forget to follow ‘increaseheightblog.com’ every week for updates on interesting insights and scientifically proven methods for height enhancement.

Increase Height Blog
Logo
Enable registration in settings - general
Shopping cart