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Writer's pictureHeight Reduction Surgery

The Average Height Worldwide

Updated: Oct 19, 2023

In our daily lives, many of us complain about either being tall or short. It can be annoying for us if our height is not at the standards we want. So what exactly is this height standard?

The average height of each country varies. While some countries are much higher than our standards, some are much lower. In this article, we will discuss the average height of the countries you are wondering about separately for men and women.


The Average Height in Europe

Europe displays a diverse range in average heights, influenced by genetics, diet, and healthcare. Northern European countries, such as the Netherlands and Sweden, are renowned for their tall statures, often attributed to genetics and high-quality nutrition. Southern and Eastern Europeans generally present slightly shorter averages, though still above the global mean. While genetics lays the foundation, factors like historical diet, socio-economic conditions, and healthcare advancements have shaped Europe's height profile over the centuries.


Tallest 5 Country in Europe

  1. Netherlands: 184cm for men – 170cm for women

  2. Montenegro: 183cm for men – 170cm for women

  3. Estonia: 183cm for men – 168cm for women

  4. Bosnia: 183cm for men – 167cm for women

  5. Iceland: 182cm for men – 168cm for women


Shortest 5 Country in Europe

  1. Malta: 172cm for men – 161cm for women

  2. Bulgaria: 173cm for men – 164cm for women

  3. Albania: 174cm for men – 162cm for women

  4. Italy: 174cm for men – 161cm for women

  5. Portugal: 174cm for men – 161cm for women

Countries

​Average Height for Men

​Average Height for Women

​Albania

​174cm / 5ft 8.5inc

​162cm / 5ft 3.8inc

​Andorra

​178cm / 5ft 10.1inc

​165cm / 5ft 5inc

Austria

178cm / 5ft 10.1inc

166cm / 5ft 5.3inc

​Belarus

178cm / 5ft 10.1inc

​166cm / 5ft 5.3inc

​Belgium

​179cm / 5ft 10.5inc

​164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

Bosnia

183cm / 6ft 0inc

167cm / 5ft 4.6inc

Bulgaria

​173cm / 5ft 8.1inc

164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

Croatia

​181cm / 5ft 11.3inc

​167cm / 5ft 5.7inc

Czechia

​181cm / 5ft 11.3inc

​168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

Denmark

182cm / 5ft 11.7inc

​169cm / 5ft 6.5inc

Estonia

​183cm / 6ft 0inc

​168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

Finland

​180cm / 5ft 10.9inc

​166cm / 5ft 5.3inc

France

178cm / 5ft 10.1inc

​164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

Georgia

​175cm / 5ft 8.9inc

163cm / 5ft 4.2inc

Germany

​180cm / 5ft 10.9inc

​166cm / 5ft 5.3inc

Greece

​179cm / 5ft 10.5inc

​165cm / 5ft 5inc

Hungary

176cm / 5ft 9.3inc

​162cm / 5ft 3.8inc

Iceland

​182cm / 5ft 11.7inc

​168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

Ireland

179cm / 5ft 10.5inc

164cm /5ft 4.6inc

Italy

​174cm / 5ft 8.5inc

​161cm / 5ft 3.4inc

Latvia

181cm / 5ft 11.3inc

​168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

Lithuania

​180cm / 5ft 10.9inc

​167cm / 5ft 5.7inc

Luxembourg

​178cm / 5ft 10.1inc

​165cm / 5ft 5inc

Malta

172cm / 5ft 7.7inc

​161cm / 5ft 3.4inc

Moldova

​177cm / 5ft 9.7inc

164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

Monaco

​180cm / 5ft 10.9inc

165cm / 5ft 5inc

Montenegro

​183cm / 6ft 0inc

​170cm / 5ft 7inc

Netherlands

​184cm / 6ft 0.4inc

​170cm / 5ft 7inc

North Macedonia

​179cm / 5ft 10.5inc

165cm / 5ft 5inc

Norway

​180cm / 5ft 10.9inc

​166cm / 5ft 5.3inc

Poland

180cm / 5ft 10.9inc

​165cm / 5ft 5inc

Portugal

​174cm / 5ft 8.5inc

​161cm / 5ft 3.4inc

Romania

​177cm / 5ft 9.7inc

​164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

Russia

​176cm / 5ft 9.3inc

​164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

San Marino

​178cm / 5ft 10.1inc

164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

Serbia

​180cm / 5ft 10.9inc

​168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

Slovakia

​181cm / 5ft 11.3inc

​167cm / 5ft 5.7inc

Slovenia

181cm / 5ft 11.3inc

​167cm / 5ft 5.7inc

Spain

176cm / 5ft 9.3inc

​162cm / 5ft 3.8inc

Sweden

​180cm / 5ft 10.9inc

168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

Switzerland

​179cm / 5ft 10.5inc

​164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

Ukraine

180cm / 5ft 10.9inc

166cm / 5ft 5.3inc

United Kingdom

​178cm / 5ft 10.1inc

​164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

Average Height in Asia

Asia is the largest and most populous continent in the world and is home to many different ethnic groups, cultures, and traditions. This diversity is also seen in the height averages of countries in Asia. In South Asia, especially in India and surrounding countries, average height may be shorter depending on genetic and nutritional factors. East Asian countries, especially Japan and South Korea, have experienced a noticeable increase in average height in recent years with the rise in living standards. However, in general, the Asian continent is a region where average height varies depending on many factors. Both genetic and environmental factors are among the main causes of this diversity.


Tallest 5 Country in Asia

  1. Lebanon: 178cm for men – 163cm for women

  2. Israel: 176cm for men – 162cm for women

  3. Turkey: 176cm for men – 161cm for women

  4. South Korea: 175cm for men – 163cm for women

  5. China: 175cm for men – 163cm for women


Shortest 5 Country in Asia

  1. Timor-Leste: 158cm for men – 153cm for women

  2. Laos: 162cm for men – 153cm for women

  3. Yemen: 163cm for men – 154cm for women

  4. North Korea: 164cm for men – 161cm for women

  5. Nepal: 164cm for men – 152cm for women


​Countries

​Average Height for Men

​Average Height for Women

Afghanistan

​168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

​155cm / 5ft 1inc

Bangladesh

​165cm / 5ft 5.0inc

​152cm / 4ft 11.8inc

Brunei

​166cm / 5ft 5.3inc

​155cm / 5ft 1.0inc

Cambodia

​165cm / 5ft 5.0inc

​154cm / 5ft 0.6inc

China

​175cm / 5ft 8.9inc

​163cm / 5ft 4.2inc

Hong Kong

​174cm / 5ft 8.5inc

​160cm / 5ft 3inc

India

166cm / 5ft 5.3inc

​155cm / 5ft 1.0inc

Indonesia

​166cm / 5ft 5.3inc

154cm / 5ft 0.6inc

Iran

​175cm / 5ft 8.9inc

​161cm / 5ft 3.4inc

Iraq

​173cm / 5ft 8.1inc

​158cm / 5ft 2.2inc

Israel

​176cm / 5ft 9.3inc

​162cm / 5ft 3.8inc

Japan

​172cm / 5ft 7.7inc

​158cm / 5ft 2.2inc

Jordan

​174cm / 5ft 8.5inc

​158cm / 5ft 2.2inc

Kazakhstan

​174cm / 5ft 8.5inc

​161cm / 5ft 3.4inc

Laos

​162cm / 5ft 3.8inc

​153cm / 5ft 0.2inc

Lebanon

​178cm / 5ft 10.1inc

​163cm / 5ft 4.2inc

Malaysia

​168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

​157cm / 5ft 1.8inc

Maldives

168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

​154cm / 5ft 0.6inc

Mongolia

​170cm / 5ft 7.0inc

​160cm / 5ft 3inc

Myanmar

​166cm / 5ft 5.3inc

​154cm / 5ft 0.6inc

Nepal

​164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

​152cm / 4ft 11.8inc

North Korea

​164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

​161cm / 5ft 3.4inc

Pakistan

​167cm / 5ft 5.7inc

​154cm / 5ft 0.6inc

Philippines

​165cm / 5ft 5.0inc

​154cm / 5ft 0.6inc

Qatar

​173cm / 5ft 8.1inc

160cm / 5ft 3inc

Saudi Arabia

​170cm / 5ft 7.0inc

​158cm / 5ft 2.2inc

Singapore

​173cm / 5ft 8.1inc

​161cm / 5ft 3.4inc

South Korea

175cm / 5ft 8.9inc

​163cm / 5ft 4.2inc

Sri Lanka

​167cm / 5ft 5.7inc

​155cm / 5ft 1.0inc

Syria

176cm / 5ft 9.3inc

​158cm / 5ft 2.2inc

Taiwan

​173cm / 5ft 8.1inc

​160cm / 5ft 3inc

Average Height in North America

North America, comprising countries like the United States, Canada, and Mexico, showcases varied height averages influenced by genetics, nutrition, and healthcare standards. The United States and Canada generally have higher average heights, attributed to better nutrition, healthcare, and standard of living. These countries have seen a steady rise in stature over the past century, though the rate of increase has slowed in recent decades.

​Countries

Average Height for Men

Average Height for Women

Canada

​179cm / 5ft 10.5inc

​165cm / 5ft 5.0inc

Mexico

170cm / 5ft 7.0inc

​157cm / 5ft 1.8inc

United States

178cm / 5ft 10.1inc

​163cm / 5ft 4.2inc

Average Height in Central America and the Caribbean

Across both Central America and the Caribbean, while genetics set the foundation, factors like nutrition, healthcare, and socioeconomic conditions play pivotal roles in determining average heights.


Tallest 5 Country in Central America and the Carribbean

  1. Jamaica: 177cm for men – 164cm for women

  2. Rica: 174cm for men – 160cm for women

  3. Cuba: 174cm for men – 160cm for women

  4. Haiti: 172cm for men – 160cm for women

  5. Belize: 171cm for men – 158cm for women

​Countries

Average Height for Men

​Average Height for Women

Belize

​171cm / 5ft 7.3

​158cm / 5ft 2.2inc

Cuba

​174cm / 5ft 8.5inc

​160cm / 5ft 3inc

Costa Rica

​174cm / 5ft 8.5inc

​160cm / 5ft 3inc

El Salvador

​170cm / 5ft 7.0inc

​156cm / 5ft 1inc

Guatemala

164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

​151cm / 4ft 11inc

Haiti

172cm / 5ft 7.7inc

​160cm / 5ft 3inc

Honduras

​168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

158cm / 5ft 2.2inc

Jamaica

​177cm / 5ft 9.7inc

​164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

Nicaragua

​168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

​156cm / 5ft 1inc

Panama

​170cm / 5ft 7.0inc

​158cm / 5ft 2.2inc


Average Height in South America

Countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile have historically presented taller height averages, often aligning with European standards due to significant European immigration and influence. Particularly in Argentina and Uruguay, the influx of Italian and Spanish settlers in the past has influenced the average height. However, nations with substantial indigenous populations, such as Bolivia and Peru, tend to display shorter statures, reflective of the genetics of native Andean communities.


Tallest 5 Country in South America

  1. Brazil: 176cm for men – 162cm for women

  2. Argentina: 175cm for men – 161cm for women

  3. Suriname: 175cm for men – 162cm for women

  4. Uruguay: 173cm for men – 162cm for women

  5. Chile: 173cm for men – 159cm for women

​Countries

​Average Height for Men

​Average Height for Women

Argentina

​175cm / 5ft 8.9inc

161cm / 5ft 3.4inc

Bolivia

​168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

​156cm / 5ft 1inc

Brazil

​176cm / 5ft 9.3inc

​162cm / 5ft 3.8inc

Chile

​173cm / 5ft 8.1inc

​159cm / 5ft 2.6inc

Colombia

​172cm / 5ft 7.7inc

​158cm / 5ft 2.2inc

Ecuador

​167cm / 5ft 5.7inc

​155cm / 5ft 1.0inc

Guyana

​172cm / 5ft 7.7inc

​160cm / 5ft 3inc

Paraguay

​174cm / 5ft 8.5inc

​160cm / 5ft 3inc

Peru

​167cm / 5ft 5.7inc

​154cm / 5ft 0.6inc

Suriname

​175cm / 5ft 8.9inc

162cm / 5ft 3.8inc

Uruguay

​174cm / 5ft 8.5inc

​162cm / 5ft 3.8inc

Venezuela

​173cm / 5ft 8.1inc

​160cm / 5ft 3inc

Average Height in Africa

Africa, with its vast cultural and genetic diversity, displays a wide range of average heights across its countries. Northern African nations, like Egypt, influenced by Arab and Mediterranean ancestries, generally have taller statures. In contrast, Central African regions, such as Congo, often report shorter averages. Eastern Africa, especially countries like Kenya and Ethiopia, have communities known for their tall, slender physiques, particularly visible among pastoralist groups. Across the continent, nutrition, health care access, and socioeconomic conditions deeply influence these height metrics.


Tallest 5 Country in Africa

  1. Morocco: 175cm for men – 161cm for women

  2. Algeria: 174cm for men – 162cm for women

  3. Egypt: 173cm for men – 160cm for women

  4. Chad: 171cm for men – 162cm for women

  5. Cameroon: 171cm for men – 160cm for women


The Shortest 5 Country in Africa

  1. Burundi: 167cm for men – 155cm for women

  2. Congo: 168cm for men – 156cm for women

  3. Ethiopia: 168cm for men – 157cm for women

  4. Ghana: 169cm for men – 159cm for women

  5. South Africa: 169cm for men – 158cm for women

​Countries

​Average Height for Men

​Average Height for Women

Algeria

174cm / 5ft 8.5inc

​162cm / 5ft 3.8inc

Burundi

​167cm / 5ft 5.7inc

155cm / 5ft 1.0inc

Cameroon

​171cm / 5ft 7.3

​160cm / 5ft 3inc

Chad

​171cm / 5ft 7.3

​162cm / 5ft 3.8inc

Congo

168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

156cm / 5ft 1inc

Egypt

173cm / 5ft 8.1inc

160cm / 5ft 3inc

Eritrea

​170cm / 5ft 7.0inc

​157cm / 5ft 1.8inc

Ethiopia

168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

​157cm / 5ft 1.8inc

Ghana

​169cm / 5ft 6.5inc

​159cm / 5ft 2.6inc

Kenya

170cm / 5ft 7.0inc

​159cm / 5ft 2.6inc

Madagascar

165cm / 5ft 5.0inc

153cm / 5ft 0.2inc

Morocco

175cm / 5ft 8.9inc

​161cm / 5ft 3.4inc

Nigeria

​170cm / 5ft 7.0inc

​158cm / 5ft 2.2inc

Somalia

​170cm / 5ft 7.0inc

​159cm / 5ft 2.6inc

South Africa

​169cm / 5ft 6.5inc

158cm / 5ft 2.2inc

Sudan

​171cm / 5ft 7.3

​160cm / 5ft 3inc

Zimbabwe

​170cm / 5ft 7.0inc

​160cm / 5ft 3inc

Average Height in Ocenia

Oceania, comprising Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, showcases varied height profiles. Australians and New Zealanders, influenced by European ancestry, generally present taller statures. Throughout Oceania, factors like nutrition, lifestyle, and healthcare access impact the region's average height dynamics.

​Countries

​Average Height for Men

​Average Height for Women

Australia

​179cm / 5ft 10.5inc

​165cm / 5ft 5.0inc

Fiji

174cm / 5ft 8.5inc

​164cm / 5ft 4.6inc

New Zealand

178cm / 5ft 10.1inc

​165cm / 5ft 5.0inc

Papua New Guinea

163cm / 5ft 4.2inc

157cm / 5ft 1.8inc

Vanuatu

​168cm / 5ft 6.1inc

​160cm / 5ft 3inc


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