top of page
  • Writer's pictureDr. Yuksel Yurttas

The Average Height of Men and Women Worldwide

Have you ever wondered about the average human height worldwide and how it varies in different countries? You're not alone! Many of us are fascinated by how height differs from one region to another. In our comprehensive guide, we explore the average height of men and women around the world and give you an insight into the comparison between different nations and regions. From the towering Scandinavians to the petite Guatemalans, join us on a journey through the continents and discover the height differences of the world's population.


Did you know? The global average height for men is about 175 cm (5 feet 9 inches), and for women, it's around 162 cm (5 feet 4 inches).

Explore Heights by Continent

  • North America

  • Central America

  • South America

  • Europe

  • Asia

  • Africa

  • Oceania

You can simply click on the continent where the country you're interested in is located. This will take you straight to the relevant section!


In the following sections, we'll look at average heights across continents, countries, and regions and uncover the factors that contribute to these differences, such as genetics, diet, and lifestyle. Read on to find out more about human height variations globally!


Average Heights in North America


North America is big and full of different kinds of places and people. It has everything from big cities like New York to quiet, beautiful spots like the national parks in Canada. This mix of places and the history of the people living there makes the average height of men and women quite different.


Here, let's take a look at how tall people usually are in some countries in North America:

Country

Men's Average Height

Women's Average Height

Canada

179 cm (5'10.5")

165 cm (5'5")

Mexico

170 cm (5'7")

157 cm (5'2")

United States

178 cm (5'10.1")

163 cm (5'4.2")

Central America and the Caribbean


Did you know that in Central America and the Caribbean, the average height of people varies a lot? This area is not just famous for its beautiful beaches and rich culture, but also for the interesting differences in how tall people are. The history and mix of cultures here really show in the heights of men and women. Let's have a look at some countries in this region:

Country

Men's Average Height

Women's Average Height

Belize

171 cm (5'7.3")

158 cm (5'2")

Cuba

174 cm (5'8.5")

160 cm (5'3")

Costa Rica

174 cm (5'8.5")

160 cm (5'3")

El Salvador

170 cm (5'7")

156 cm (5'1")

Guatemala

164 cm (5'4.6")

151 cm (4'11")

Haiti

172 cm (5'7")

160 cm (5'3")

Honduras

168 cm (5'6")

158 cm (5'2")

Jamaica

177 cm (5'9.7")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Nicaragua

168 cm (5'6")

156 cm (5'1.4")

Panama

170 cm (5'7")

158 cm (5'2")

Average Heights Across South America


South America is a continent full of amazing nature, colorful cultures, and deep history. This diversity is also seen in the heights of its people. Imagine the tall Andes Mountains and lively Brazilian cities – such variety in places means variety in people too. In South America, where people come from many different backgrounds, you find quite a range in how tall they are. Let's take a closer look at the average heights of men and women in South America:

Country

Men's Average Height

Women's Average Height

Argentina

175 cm (5'8.9")

161 cm (5'3.4")

Bolivia

168 cm (5'6.1")

156 cm (5'1.4")

Brazil

176 cm (5'9.3")

162 cm (5'3.8")

Chile

173 cm (5'8.1")

159 cm (5'2.6")

Colombia

172 cm (5'7.7")

158 cm (5'2.2")

Ecuador

167 cm (5'5.7")

155 cm (5'1")

Guyana

172 cm (5'7.7")

160 cm (5'3")

Paraguay

174 cm (5'8.5")

160 cm (5'3")

Peru

167 cm (5'5.7")

154 cm (5'0.6")

Suriname

175 cm (5'8.9")

162 cm (5'3.8")

Uruguay

174 cm (5'8.5")

162 cm (5'3.8")

Average Heights in Europe

Europe is a continent full of history and so many different cultures. Think about Rome with its old buildings and London with its busy streets. All this history and the mix of people from different places make the heights of men and women in Europe unique.


When we look at Europe, we see so many different heights. This is because people in Europe come from a wide range of backgrounds. In the north, like in Scandinavia, people tend to be taller. But in southern parts, like in the Mediterranean countries, people are often a bit shorter. This is interesting, right? Let’s check out the average heights in European countries:

Country

Men's Average Height

Women's Average Height

Albania

174 cm (5'8.5")

162 cm (5'3.8")

Andorra

178 cm (5'10.1")

165 cm (5'5")

Austria

178 cm (5'10.1")

166 cm (5'5.3")

Belarus

178 cm (5'10.1")

166 cm (5'5.3")

Belgium

179 cm (5'10.5")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Bosnia and Herzegovina

183 cm (6'0")

167 cm (5'5.7")

Bulgaria

173 cm (5'8.1")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Croatia

181 cm (5'11.3")

167 cm (5'5.7")

Czechia

181 cm (5'11.3")

168 cm (5'6.1")

Denmark

182 cm (5'11.7")

169 cm (5'6.5")

Estonia

183 cm (6'0")

168 cm (5'6.1")

Finland

180 cm (5'10.9")

166 cm (5'5.4")

France

178 cm (5'10.1")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Georgia

175 cm (5'8.9")

163 cm (5'4.2")

Germany

180 cm (5'10.9")

166 cm (5'5.4")

Greece

179 cm (5'10.5")

165 cm (5'5")

Hungary

176 cm (5'9.3")

162 cm (5'3.8")

Iceland

182 cm (5'11.7")

168 cm (5'6.1")

Ireland

179 cm (5'10.5")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Italy

174 cm (5'8.5")

161 cm (5'3.4")

Latvia

181 cm (5'11.3")

168 cm (5'6.1")

Lithuania

180 cm (5'10.9")

167 cm (5'5.7")

Luxembourg

178 cm (5'10.1")

165 cm (5'5")

Malta

172 cm (5'7.7")

161 cm (5'3.4")

Moldova

177 cm (5'9.7")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Monaco

180 cm (5'10.9")

165 cm (5'5")

Montenegro

183 cm (6'0")

170 cm (5'7")

Netherlands

184 cm (6'0.4")

170 cm (5'6.9")

North Macedonia

179 cm (5'10.5")

165 cm (5'5")

Norway

180 cm (5'10.9")

166 cm (5'5.4")

Poland

180 cm (5'10.9")

165 cm (5'5")

Portugal

174 cm (5'8.5")

161 cm (5'3.4")

Romania

177 cm (5'9.7")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Russia

176 cm (5'9.3")

164 cm (5'4.6")

San Marino

178 cm (5'10.1")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Serbia

180 cm (5'10.9")

168 cm (5'6.1")

Slovakia

181 cm (5'11.3")

167 cm (5'5.7")

Slovenia

181 cm (5'11.3")

167 cm (5'5.7")

Spain

176 cm (5'9.3")

162 cm (5'3.8")

Sweden

180 cm (5'10.9")

168 cm (5'6.1")

Switzerland

179 cm (5'10.5")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Ukraine

180 cm (5'10.9")

166 cm (5'5.4")

United Kingdom

178 cm (5'10.1")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Norway

180 cm (5'10.9")

166 cm (5'5.4")

Poland

180 cm (5'10.9")

165 cm (5'5")

Portugal

174 cm (5'8.5")

161 cm (5'3.4")

Romania

177 cm (5'9.7")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Russia

176 cm (5'9.3")

164 cm (5'4.6")

San Marino

178 cm (5'10.1")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Serbia

180 cm (5'10.9")

168 cm (5'6.1")

Slovakia

181 cm (5'11.3")

167 cm (5'5.7")

Slovenia

181 cm (5'11.3")

167 cm (5'5.7")

Spain

176 cm (5'9.3")

162 cm (5'3.8")

Sweden

180 cm (5'10.9")

168 cm (5'6.1")

Switzerland

179 cm (5'10.5")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Ukraine

180 cm (5'10.9")

166 cm (5'5.4")

United Kingdom

178 cm (5'10.1")

164 cm (5'4.6")

Average Heights Across Asia

Asia is not just the largest continent in the world; it's a place of endless variety. It's home to an incredible array of cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and a rich history. From the towering Himalayas to the busy streets of Tokyo, Beijing, and Mumbai, every corner of Asia tells a different story. This diversity is also reflected in the people themselves, including how tall they are. Did you know that the average height of men and women can vary a lot across Asian countries? It's true! Factors like genetics, lifestyle, and even the local cuisine play a part in this. Let's take a closer look at the average heights in key Asian countries and see what they tell us about the people living in this diverse and dynamic continent.

Country

Men's Average Height

Women's Average Height

Afghanistan

168 cm (5'6.1")

155 cm (5'1")

Bangladesh

165 cm (5'5")

152 cm (4'11.8")

Brunei

166 cm (5'5.4")

155 cm (5'1")

Cambodia

165 cm (5'5")

154 cm (5'0.6")

China

175 cm (5'8.9")

163 cm (5'4.2")

Hong Kong

174 cm (5'8.5")

160 cm (5'3")

India

166 cm (5'5.4")

155 cm (5'1")

Indonesia

166 cm (5'5.4")

154 cm (5'0.6")

Iran

175 cm (5'8.9")

161 cm (5'3.4")

Iraq

173 cm (5'8.1")

158 cm (5'2.2")

Israel

176 cm (5'9.3")

162 cm (5'3.4")

Japan

172 cm (5'7.7")

158 cm (5'2.2")

Jordan

174 cm (5'8.5")

158 cm (5'2.2")

Kazakhstan

174 cm (5'8.5")

161 cm (5'3.4")

Laos

162 cm (5'4")

153 cm (5'0.2")

Lebanon

178 cm (5'10.1")

163 cm (5'4.2")

Malaysia

168 cm (5'6.1")

157 cm (5'1.8")

Maldives

168 cm (5'6.1")

154 cm (5'0.6")

Mongolia

170 cm (5'7")

160 cm (5'3")

Myanmar

166 cm (5'5.4")

154 cm (5'0.6")

Nepal

164 cm (5'4.6")

152 cm (4'11.8")

North Korea

164 cm (5'4.6")

161 cm (5'3.4")

Oman

170 cm (5'7")

158 cm (5'2.2")

Pakistan

167 cm (5'5.7")

154 cm (5'0.6")

Philippines

165 cm (5'5")

154 cm (5'0.6")

Qatar

173 cm (5'8.1")

160 cm (5'3")

Saudi Arabia

170 cm (5'7")

158 cm (5'2.2")

Singapore

173 cm (5'8.1")

161 cm (5'3.4")

South Korea

175 cm (5'8.9")

163 cm (5'4.2")

Sri Lanka

167 cm (5'5.7")

155 cm (5'1")

Syria

176 cm (5'9.3")

158 cm (5'2.2")

Taiwan

173 cm (5'8.1")

160 cm (5'3")

Thailand

171 cm (5'7.3")

159 cm (5'2.6")

Timor-Leste

158 cm (5'2.2")

153 cm (5'0.2")

Turkey

176 cm (5'9.3")

161 cm (5'3.4")

United Arab Emirates

173 cm (5'8.1")

160 cm (5'3")

Uzbekistan

174 cm (5'8.5")

161 cm (5'3.4")

Vietnam

168 cm (5'6.1")

158 cm (5'2.2")

Yemen

163 cm (5'4.2")

154 cm (5'0.6")

Average Heights in Africa

Africa is an amazing continent, second in size but first in diversity. It's a land where you can see everything from the wild savannas with their amazing wildlife to the historical wonders like the pyramids in Egypt. The cities are bustling with life too, places like Nairobi and Johannesburg are full of energy. What's interesting is how this diversity shows in the people as well, especially in how tall they are. In Africa, men's and women's average heights can vary quite a bit from one country to another. This difference is influenced by many things like the genes people inherit, their diets, and even the kind of life they lead. Let's explore the average heights in some key African countries and see what these numbers can tell us about the people who live there.

Country

Men's Average Height

Women's Average Height

Algeria

174 cm (5'8.5")

162 cm (5'3.8")

Burundi

167 cm (5'5.8")

155 cm (5'1")

Cameroon

171 cm (5'7.3")

160 cm (5'3")

Chad

171 cm (5'7.3")

162 cm (5'3.8")

Congo (Dem. Republic)

168 cm (5'6")

156 cm (5'1.4")

Egypt

173 cm (5'8")

160 cm (5'3")

Eritrea

170 cm (5'7")

157 cm (5'1.8")

Ethiopia

168 cm (5'6")

157 cm (5'1.8")

Ghana

169 cm (5'6.5")

159 cm (5'2.6")

Kenya

170 cm (5'7")

159 cm (5'2.6")

Madagascar

165 cm (5'5")

153 cm (5'0.2")

Morocco

175 cm (5'8.9")

161 cm (5'3.4")

Nigeria

170 cm (5'7")

158 cm (5'2.2")

Somalia

170 cm (5'7")

159 cm (5'2.6")

South Africa

169 cm (5'6.5")

158 cm (5'2.2")

Sudan

171 cm (5'7.3")

160 cm (5'3")

Zimbabwe

170 cm (5'7")

160 cm (5'3")

Average Heights in Countries of Oceania

Oceania is a region full of wonders, from the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef in Australia to the lush, green landscapes of New Zealand. This unique mix of islands, each with its own wildlife and vibrant cultures. It is also a place of diverse human experiences. In Oceania, the average heights of men and women are influenced by their distinct backgrounds, rich histories, and migration. People have moved across these islands and countries for centuries, bringing a mix of genetic traits that contribute to the height variations we see today. Let's take a look at how tall people typically are in some of the key places in Oceania:

Country

Men's Average Height

Women's Average Height

Australia

179 cm (5'10.5")

165 cm (5'5")

Fiji

174 cm (5'8.5")

164 cm (5'4.6")

New Zealand

178 cm (5'10.1")

165 cm (5'5")

Papua New Guinea

163 cm (5'4.2")

157 cm (5'1.8")

Vanuatu

168 cm (5'6.1")

160 cm (5'3")

Understanding Height Differences

Have you ever wondered why people's heights differ so much? A lot of things come into play. Genetics is a big one – it's like a blueprint we inherit from our parents. Nutrition and healthcare are crucial too. The better these are, the more likely you are to reach your tallest potential. And it's not just about countries; even within a nation, your ethnic background, social conditions, and the environment you grow up in can influence how tall you become.


The Trend of Growing Taller

Here's an interesting fact: in many parts of the world, people are getting taller. Thanks to better food, healthcare, and living standards, each generation is often a bit taller than the last. It's a sign of good changes in our world.


Changing Heights: It’s Possible!

If you're thinking about how to be taller as an adult, there's a way. Thanks to modern medicine, people can now change their height with surgery. Curious about the details? Contact us now via WhatsApp at +905339735289 or email us at info@dryukselyurttas.com.

bottom of page