The Average Height of Men and Women Worldwide
As you can guess, the range of Average Height of Men and Women Worldwide is very wide. A study in 2016 (1) found that Iranian men have seen the greatest change in height over the past century, showing an increase of about 6.7 inches (17 cm).
Genetics, nutrition, and access to healthcare play a considerable impact in determining the average height of people in various countries and areas.
On a global scale, the average height of men is approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 centimeters), whereas the average height of women is approximately 5 feet 4 inches (165 centimeters) (162 cm). However, these averages are not fixed in stone, and there is a great deal of variation across individuals in various countries and areas. For instance, persons in wealthy nations are often taller than those in underdeveloped nations.
The Average Height of Men and Women in North America
The average height of men and women in the various nations of North America differs. A closer look at the average height of men and women in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is provided below:
- In the United States, the average male height is approximately 5’9″ (175 cm), while the average female height is approximately 5’4″ (165 cm) (162 cm).
- In Canada, the average male height is approximately 5’10” (178 cm), while the average female height is approximately 5’5″ (166 cm).
- In Mexico, the average male height is approximately 5’7″ (170 cm), while the average female height is approximately 5’2″ (158 cm).
The Average Height in Central America
Central America is a culturally and ethnically varied region, therefore the average height of men and women in its countries might vary. Following is a breakdown of the average male and female height in many Central American nations:
- Belize: Men – 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm); Women – 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm)
- Costa Rica: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm)
- El Salvador: Men – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (158 cm)
- Guatemala: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (158 cm)
- Honduras: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (158 cm)
- Nicaragua: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (158 cm)
- Panama: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (158 cm)
The Average Height in South America
South America is a wide and varied continent, and the average height of men and women in its many countries can vary considerably. Below is a breakdown of the average height of South American men and women:
- Argentina: Men – 5 feet 9.7 inches (177 cm); Women – 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
- Bolivia: Men – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (158 cm)
- Brazil: Men – 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm); Women – 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
- Chile: Men – 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm); Women – 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm)
- Colombia: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm)
- Ecuador: Men – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (158 cm)
- Guyana: Men – 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm); Women – 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm)
- Paraguay: Men – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (158 cm)
- Peru: Men – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (158 cm)
- Suriname: Men – 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm); Women – 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm)
- Uruguay: Men – 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm); Women – 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm)
- Venezuela: Men – 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm); Women – 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm)
The Average Height in Europe
The average height of men and women in Europe is often greater than in other regions of the world. Following is a breakdown of the average male and female height in several European countries:
- Albania: Men – 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm); Women – 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm)
- Austria: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Belarus: Men – 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Belgium: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: Men – 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Bulgaria: Men – 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Croatia: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Cyprus: Men – 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Czech Republic: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Denmark: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Estonia: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Finland: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- France: Men – 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Georgia: Men – 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm); Women – 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm)
- Germany: Men – 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Greece: Men – 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Hungary: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Iceland: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Ireland: Men – 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Italy: Men – 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm); Women – 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
- Kosovo: Men – 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Latvia: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Lithuania: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Luxembourg: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Malta: Men – 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Moldova: Men – 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Montenegro: Men – 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm); Women – 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
- Netherlands: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
The Average Height in Asia
On average, Asian men and women are shorter than those from other continents. Yet, there is a great deal of variance between Asian nations. Below is a list of the average height of men and women in some of Asia’s most populous nations:
- Afghanistan: Men – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm); Women – 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm)
- China: Men – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm); Women – 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm)
- India: Men – 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm); Women – 5 feet (152 cm)
- Indonesia: Men – 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm); Women – 5 feet (152 cm)
- Iran: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm)
- Iraq: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm)
- Japan: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm)
- Jordan: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm)
- Kazakhstan: Men – 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm); Women – 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm)
- Kuwait: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm)
- Kyrgyzstan: Men – 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm); Women – 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm)
- Lebanon: Men – 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm); Women – 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm)
- Malaysia: Men – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm); Women – 5 feet (152 cm)
- Mongolia: Men – 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm); Women – 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm)
- Nepal: Men – 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm); Women – 4 feet 11 inches (150 cm)
- Pakistan: Men – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm); Women – 5 feet 1 inch (155 cm)
- Palestine: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm)
- Philippines: Men – 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm); Women – 5 feet (152 cm)
- Russia: Men – 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm); Women – 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
- Saudi Arabia: Men – 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm); Women – 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm)
- Singapore: Men – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm); Women – 5 feet (152 cm)
- South Korea: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm)
- Syria: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm)
- Taiwan: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm)
- Tajikistan: Men – 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm); Women – 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm)
- Thailand: Men – 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm); Women – 5 feet (152 cm)
- Timor-Leste: Men – 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm); Women – 4 feet 11.50 inches (151 cm)
The Average Height in Africa
African men and women are, on average, shorter than those from other regions of the world. Yet, there are large differences in average height amongst African nations. Below is a list of the average height of men and women in some of the most important African nations:
- Algeria: Men – 5 feet 6.8 inches (169.6 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157.8 cm)
- Cameroon: Men – 5 feet 6.2 inches (168.3 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157.5 cm)
- Egypt: Men – 5 feet 7.3 inches (170.8 cm); Women – 5 feet 2.4 inches (158.3 cm)
- Ethiopia: Men – 5 feet 6.6 inches (169.1 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157.6 cm)
- Ghana: Men – 5 feet 6.7 inches (169.4 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157.5 cm)
- Kenya: Men – 5 feet 6.8 inches (169.7 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157.7 cm)
- Morocco: Men – 5 feet 7 inches (170.3 cm); Women – 5 feet 2.3 inches (158.1 cm)
- Niger: Men – 5 feet 6.7 inches (169.3 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157.6 cm)
- Nigeria: Men – 5 feet 6.7 inches (169.4 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157.6 cm)
- Senegal: Men – 5 feet 6.7 inches (179.4 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157.6 cm)
- South Africa: Men – 5 feet 9.3 inches (176.3 cm); Women – 5 feet 4 inches (162.9 cm)
- Tanzania: Men – 5 feet 6.7 inches (169.4 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157.6 cm)
- Tunisia: Men – 5 feet 7.1 inches (170.5 cm); Women – 5 feet 2.5 inches (158.4 cm)
- Zimbabwe: Men – 5 feet 8.9 inches (175.2 cm); Women – 5 feet 3.8 inches (161.9 cm)
The Average Height in Australia
In terms of height, persons from Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea are typically taller than the global average. Below is a list of the average male and female heights in each country:
- Australia: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- New Zealand: Men – 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm); Women – 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
- Papua New Guinea: Men – 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm); Women – 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm)
Differences in Average Height
The average height of men and women in a country or region can be affected by factors such as heredity, nutrition, and access to healthcare. Those who have access to a good, diverse diet and medical treatment are more likely to be taller. There are also differences in average height between countries and regions due to factors such as race and ethnicity, social level, and geographic location.
Increasing Average Height Over Time
In various regions of the world, the average height may be growing over time due to improved nutrition, access to healthcare, and changes in lifestyle, and cultural customs. For instance, individuals are now more likely to consume a varied diet, which can contribute to increased height.
Is height a benefit in social situations?
There is some evidence to suggest that being tall may confer certain social advantages. Research demonstrates, for example, that taller people are frequently seen as more powerful, confident, and capable than shorter people. This may result in different treatment from others and more social influence or success in specific settings.
It is crucial to emphasize, however, that the relationship between height and social advantage is nuanced and multifaceted, and may vary depending on the cultural environment in which it happens. In some cultures, for instance, height may be a significant indicator of social rank or attractiveness, whereas in others it may be less significant.
However, the relationship between height and social advantage is not always obvious. In some instances, tall persons may have certain advantages, but in others, they may encounter certain problems or drawbacks. For instance, tall people may have trouble getting into small areas or locating clothes that fits properly, and they may be more susceptible to certain health issues, such as back pain.
Many genetic and environmental factors, including nutrition, hormones, genetics, and overall health, control human height. Human height-influencing factors can be inherited, acquired, or caused by disease or injury. Height is not the sole predictor of social or personal achievement and should not be used as a measure of an individual’s value.
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