Average height for men and women by country, with global comparisons.
Last updated: April 2026
Average height varies considerably across countries and has been rising steadily over the past century in most parts of the world. The figures below are averages for adults (aged 18+) drawn from national health survey data and peer-reviewed research.
| Country | Men (cm) | Men (ft/in) | Women (cm) | Women (ft/in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 183 cm | 6′0″ | 170 cm | 5′7″ |
| Denmark | 182 cm | 5′11″ | 169 cm | 5′6″ |
| Norway | 180 cm | 5′11″ | 167 cm | 5′6″ |
| Germany | 180 cm | 5′11″ | 166 cm | 5′5″ |
| Sweden | 180 cm | 5′11″ | 167 cm | 5′6″ |
| Australia | 177 cm | 5′10″ | 164 cm | 5′5″ |
| United States | 176 cm | 5′9″ | 162 cm | 5′4″ |
| United Kingdom | 176 cm | 5′9″ | 162 cm | 5′4″ |
| Canada | 176 cm | 5′9″ | 163 cm | 5′4″ |
| France | 176 cm | 5′9″ | 163 cm | 5′4″ |
| Brazil | 170 cm | 5′7″ | 158 cm | 5′2″ |
| China | 170 cm | 5′7″ | 159 cm | 5′3″ |
| Japan | 172 cm | 5′8″ | 158 cm | 5′2″ |
| India | 165 cm | 5′5″ | 152 cm | 5′0″ |
| Nigeria | 164 cm | 5′5″ | 157 cm | 5′2″ |
| Indonesia | 163 cm | 5′4″ | 154 cm | 5′1″ |
Data sources: NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, national health surveys. Figures are rounded averages — individual variation is large within every country.
Being "tall" is relative. In the US and UK, a man above 183 cm (6′0″) is above roughly the 85th percentile — tall by local standards. The same height in the Netherlands is only slightly above average. In India or Indonesia, 183 cm puts a man in the top 2–3% of the population.
For women, 170 cm (5′7″) is above average in almost every country, and above the 85th percentile in the US, UK, and Australia.
| Classification | Men (US/UK/AUS) | Women (US/UK/AUS) |
|---|---|---|
| Short (below 15th percentile) | below 168 cm (5′6″) | below 155 cm (5′1″) |
| Average (25th–75th percentile) | 173–180 cm (5′8″–5′11″) | 160–167 cm (5′3″–5′6″) |
| Tall (above 85th percentile) | above 183 cm (6′0″) | above 170 cm (5′7″) |
| Very tall (above 97th percentile) | above 190 cm (6′3″) | above 177 cm (5′10″) |
Average heights in most countries have risen by 8–10 cm over the past 100 years. The main driver is improved childhood nutrition — particularly access to protein and micronutrients during early development. Better healthcare, reduced childhood disease burden, and higher living standards have also contributed. The trend has slowed in wealthy countries, where average heights appear to have plateaued since the 1980s.
The global average height for an adult man is approximately 171 cm (5 ft 7 in). This varies widely by country — men in the Netherlands average around 183 cm (6 ft 0 in), which is the tallest national average, while men in some Southeast Asian countries average closer to 162–164 cm (5 ft 4 in). In the US and UK the average male height is about 176 cm (5 ft 9 in).
The global average height for an adult woman is approximately 159 cm (5 ft 3 in). Women in the Netherlands average around 170 cm (5 ft 7 in), which is the tallest national average for women. In the US and UK, the average female height is about 162 cm (5 ft 4 in). Women in South and Southeast Asia tend to average 152–158 cm (5 ft 0 in – 5 ft 2 in).
Being "tall" depends on your context. In most Western countries, men above 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) are generally considered tall — that is above the 85th percentile in the US and UK. For women, above 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) is above average in most countries and is generally perceived as tall. In the Netherlands, both of those heights are only slightly above average. In South or Southeast Asia, those same heights would be considered quite tall.
The Netherlands consistently ranks as having the tallest average population. Dutch men average about 182–183 cm (5 ft 11 in – 6 ft 0 in) and Dutch women average about 170–171 cm (5 ft 7 in). Other consistently tall nations include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Germany. Researchers point to a combination of genetic factors, high protein intake historically, and good healthcare access across generations.