Global Height Chart: Average Male and Female Stature
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 1 Dec 2017 - Updated: 29 Jul 2026
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This information presents the average height, weight, and body mass index for men and women aged 18 to 25 across 128 countries, shown in both metric and imperial units and sortable by country, stature, weight, or BMI. The figures are drawn from pooled, population-representative studies compiled by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC), a network of health scientists coordinated by Imperial College London in partnership with the World Health Organization, with height and weight reflecting the 2022 analysis and BMI covering 2020 to 2024. Because NCD-RisC includes only studies where measurements were physically taken rather than self-reported, the data carries a level of reliability that survey-based estimates often lack. This matters for anyone comparing national growth patterns, since most variation between countries reflects nutrition, disease, and living conditions rather than genetics alone, and the underlying research appears in the peer-reviewed journals eLife and The Lancet. The page is genuinely useful for seniors and people with disabilities as well, because it notes that stature typically declines by roughly 1 to 2 cm per decade after age 40, so anyone sizing equipment, furniture, or assistive devices for older adults should read these young-adult averages as an upper bound rather than a fixed standard.
At a Glance
- 1 - Men are taller than women in every country listed.
- 2 - Metric values are rounded to two decimals, and imperial figures are converted from those rounded numbers.
- 3 - The Netherlands records the tallest male average at 1.84 m, while East Timor shows the shortest at 1.59 m.
- 4 - Quoted chart averages combine national figures equally, so they are not population-weighted and a single mean hides the wide spread within any country.
Topic Definition
- Auxology
Auxology is the scientific study of human physical growth and development, examining how the body changes in size, proportion, and composition from conception through adulthood. It draws its name from the Greek word "auxein," meaning to grow or increase, and pays particular attention to childhood and adolescence, when growth is at its most rapid. The field measures traits such as height, weight, and body mass index while also investigating the biological forces behind them, including hormones, nutrition, genetics, and environment. Auxologists build the growth charts and reference standards that pediatricians rely on to judge whether a child is developing typically, and they study conditions where growth falters, whether from endocrine disorders, chronic illness, or malnutrition. Beyond the clinic, the discipline offers a window into population health, socioeconomic conditions, and even evolutionary biology, since the way people grow reflects both inherited traits and the circumstances they live in.
Overview
People from different countries grow to different heights. While genetics plays a role, most differences stem from other causes - malnourished children or those with serious diseases generally become shorter adults. Men are typically taller than women across all populations.
Auxology is the study of human growth. Height has long been recognized as a measure of health and wellness. The chart below shows the average height, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI) data of males and females aged 18-25 in various world countries.
You can sort the data by Country, Average Height, Average Weight, and BMI by clicking the column headers (requires JavaScript).
Average Adult Height, Weight and BMI of Females Aged 18-25 Around the World
| Country | Average height | Weight | BMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 1.55 m (5 ft 1.0 in) | 64.4 kg (142.0 lb) | 26.7 |
| Albania | 1.62 m (5 ft 3.8 in) | 70.8 kg (156.1 lb) | 27.0 |
| Algeria | 1.62 m (5 ft 3.8 in) | 73.1 kg (161.2 lb) | 27.9 |
| American Samoa | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 99.8 kg (220.0 lb) | 35.8 |
| Andorra | 1.65 m (5 ft 5.0 in) | 68.7 kg (151.5 lb) | 25.2 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 1.65 m (5 ft 5.0 in) | 80.8 kg (178.1 lb) | 29.6 |
| Argentina | 1.61 m (5 ft 3.4 in) | 74.3 kg (163.8 lb) | 28.7 |
| Australia | 1.65 m (5 ft 5.0 in) | 74.8 kg (164.9 lb) | 27.6 |
| Austria | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.4 in) | 68.6 kg (151.2 lb) | 24.8 |
| Bahamas | 1.63 m (5 ft 4.2 in) | 84.7 kg (186.7 lb) | 31.8 |
| Bangladesh | 1.52 m (4 ft 11.8 in) | 55.4 kg (122.1 lb) | 23.9 |
| Belarus | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.4 in) | 73.0 kg (160.9 lb) | 26.4 |
| Belgium | 1.64 m (5 ft 4.6 in) | 70.5 kg (155.4 lb) | 26.3 |
| Belize | 1.58 m (5 ft 2.2 in) | 77.6 kg (171.1 lb) | 31.1 |
| Bermuda | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.4 in) | 81.2 kg (179.0 lb) | 29.6 |
| Bolivia | 1.55 m (5 ft 1.0 in) | 69.0 kg (152.1 lb) | 28.6 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 72.2 kg (159.2 lb) | 25.9 |
| Brazil | 1.62 m (5 ft 3.8 in) | 74.0 kg (163.1 lb) | 28.2 |
| Bulgaria | 1.64 m (5 ft 4.6 in) | 68.0 kg (149.9 lb) | 25.3 |
| Burundi | 1.55 m (5 ft 1.0 in) | 51.9 kg (114.4 lb) | 21.7 |
| Cambodia | 1.54 m (5 ft 0.6 in) | 55.9 kg (123.2 lb) | 23.5 |
| Cameroon | 1.60 m (5 ft 3.0 in) | 66.9 kg (147.5 lb) | 26.1 |
| Canada | 1.65 m (5 ft 5.0 in) | 72.9 kg (160.7 lb) | 26.9 |
| Cape Verde | 1.62 m (5 ft 3.8 in) | 70.7 kg (155.9 lb) | 26.8 |
| Chad | 1.62 m (5 ft 3.8 in) | 59.9 kg (132.1 lb) | 22.9 |
| Chile | 1.59 m (5 ft 2.6 in) | 76.3 kg (168.2 lb) | 30.1 |
| China | 1.63 m (5 ft 4.2 in) | 63.8 kg (140.7 lb) | 24.1 |
| Colombia | 1.58 m (5 ft 2.2 in) | 69.1 kg (152.3 lb) | 27.8 |
| Congo DR | 1.56 m (5 ft 1.4 in) | 57.9 kg (127.6 lb) | 23.8 |
| Cook Islands | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 96.5 kg (212.7 lb) | 34.6 |
| Costa Rica | 1.60 m (5 ft 3.0 in) | 74.8 kg (164.9 lb) | 29.2 |
| Croatia | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 75.3 kg (166.0 lb) | 27.1 |
| Cuba | 1.60 m (5 ft 3.0 in) | 69.9 kg (154.1 lb) | 27.3 |
| Czechia | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.1 in) | 73.9 kg (162.9 lb) | 26.3 |
| Denmark | 1.69 m (5 ft 6.5 in) | 71.4 kg (157.4 lb) | 25.0 |
| Dominica | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 83.3 kg (183.6 lb) | 30.0 |
| East Timor | 1.52 m (4 ft 11.8 in) | 51.7 kg (114.0 lb) | 22.4 |
| Ecuador | 1.55 m (5 ft 1.0 in) | 68.1 kg (150.1 lb) | 28.4 |
| Egypt | 1.60 m (5 ft 3.0 in) | 81.2 kg (179.0 lb) | 31.7 |
| El Salvador | 1.56 m (5 ft 1.4 in) | 70.2 kg (154.8 lb) | 28.9 |
| Eritrea | 1.57 m (5 ft 1.8 in) | 53.0 kg (116.8 lb) | 21.4 |
| Estonia | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.1 in) | 74.0 kg (163.1 lb) | 26.1 |
| Ethiopia | 1.57 m (5 ft 1.8 in) | 53.8 kg (118.6 lb) | 21.9 |
| Finland | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.4 in) | 74.3 kg (163.8 lb) | 26.9 |
| France | 1.64 m (5 ft 4.6 in) | 66.2 kg (145.9 lb) | 24.5 |
| French Polynesia | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.4 in) | 84.7 kg (186.7 lb) | 30.7 |
| Georgia | 1.63 m (5 ft 4.2 in) | 75.1 kg (165.6 lb) | 28.4 |
| Germany | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.4 in) | 71.4 kg (157.4 lb) | 25.9 |
| Ghana | 1.59 m (5 ft 2.6 in) | 66.6 kg (146.8 lb) | 26.5 |
| Greece | 1.65 m (5 ft 5.0 in) | 74.5 kg (164.2 lb) | 27.2 |
| Grenada | 1.65 m (5 ft 5.0 in) | 81.2 kg (179.0 lb) | 29.7 |
| Guatemala | 1.51 m (4 ft 11.4 in) | 63.7 kg (140.4 lb) | 28.1 |
| Haiti | 1.60 m (5 ft 3.0 in) | 64.1 kg (141.3 lb) | 25.0 |
| Hong Kong | 1.60 m (5 ft 3.0 in) | 61.1 kg (134.7 lb) | 23.8 |
| Hungary | 1.62 m (5 ft 3.8 in) | 70.9 kg (156.3 lb) | 26.9 |
| Iceland | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.1 in) | 74.6 kg (164.5 lb) | 26.3 |
| India | 1.55 m (5 ft 1.0 in) | 57.1 kg (125.9 lb) | 23.8 |
| Indonesia | 1.54 m (5 ft 0.6 in) | 60.2 kg (132.7 lb) | 25.4 |
| Iran | 1.61 m (5 ft 3.4 in) | 71.8 kg (158.3 lb) | 27.7 |
| Ireland | 1.64 m (5 ft 4.6 in) | 74.2 kg (163.6 lb) | 27.5 |
| Israel | 1.62 m (5 ft 3.8 in) | 69.0 kg (152.1 lb) | 26.3 |
| Italy | 1.61 m (5 ft 3.4 in) | 64.8 kg (142.9 lb) | 24.9 |
| Ivory Coast | 1.58 m (5 ft 2.2 in) | 63.2 kg (139.3 lb) | 25.2 |
| Jamaica | 1.64 m (5 ft 4.6 in) | 81.6 kg (179.9 lb) | 30.3 |
| Japan | 1.58 m (5 ft 2.2 in) | 55.0 kg (121.3 lb) | 22.0 |
| Kazakhstan | 1.61 m (5 ft 3.4 in) | 68.3 kg (150.6 lb) | 26.2 |
| Kiribati | 1.61 m (5 ft 3.4 in) | 80.3 kg (177.0 lb) | 31.1 |
| Laos | 1.53 m (5 ft 0.2 in) | 56.7 kg (125.0 lb) | 24.3 |
| Latvia | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.1 in) | 74.2 kg (163.6 lb) | 26.3 |
| Lebanon | 1.63 m (5 ft 4.2 in) | 74.4 kg (164.0 lb) | 27.9 |
| Lithuania | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 72.5 kg (159.8 lb) | 25.9 |
| Luxembourg | 1.65 m (5 ft 5.0 in) | 69.7 kg (153.7 lb) | 25.7 |
| Madagascar | 1.53 m (5 ft 0.2 in) | 51.8 kg (114.2 lb) | 22.2 |
| Malaysia | 1.57 m (5 ft 1.8 in) | 66.7 kg (147.0 lb) | 27.2 |
| Maldives | 1.54 m (5 ft 0.6 in) | 63.8 kg (140.7 lb) | 26.9 |
| Mexico | 1.57 m (5 ft 1.8 in) | 72.9 kg (160.7 lb) | 29.4 |
| Micronesia | 1.59 m (5 ft 2.6 in) | 80.3 kg (177.0 lb) | 31.7 |
| Montenegro | 1.70 m (5 ft 6.9 in) | 72.7 kg (160.3 lb) | 25.3 |
| Morocco | 1.61 m (5 ft 3.4 in) | 71.2 kg (157.0 lb) | 27.6 |
| Myanmar | 1.54 m (5 ft 0.6 in) | 56.9 kg (125.4 lb) | 23.9 |
| Nauru | 1.58 m (5 ft 2.2 in) | 85.4 kg (188.3 lb) | 34.4 |
| Nepal | 1.52 m (4 ft 11.8 in) | 55.8 kg (123.0 lb) | 24.1 |
| Netherlands | 1.70 m (5 ft 6.9 in) | 73.2 kg (161.4 lb) | 25.3 |
| New Zealand | 1.65 m (5 ft 5.0 in) | 77.5 kg (170.9 lb) | 28.6 |
| Nigeria | 1.58 m (5 ft 2.2 in) | 63.2 kg (139.3 lb) | 25.4 |
| Niue | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 93.5 kg (206.1 lb) | 33.7 |
| North Korea | 1.61 m (5 ft 3.4 in) | 64.3 kg (141.8 lb) | 24.9 |
| Norway | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.4 in) | 72.6 kg (160.1 lb) | 26.2 |
| Pakistan | 1.54 m (5 ft 0.6 in) | 64.1 kg (141.3 lb) | 26.9 |
| Palestine | 1.61 m (5 ft 3.4 in) | 77.3 kg (170.4 lb) | 29.9 |
| Paraguay | 1.59 m (5 ft 2.6 in) | 74.0 kg (163.1 lb) | 29.1 |
| Philippines | 1.54 m (5 ft 0.6 in) | 58.1 kg (128.1 lb) | 24.6 |
| Poland | 1.65 m (5 ft 5.0 in) | 70.1 kg (154.5 lb) | 25.6 |
| Portugal | 1.61 m (5 ft 3.4 in) | 67.3 kg (148.4 lb) | 26.0 |
| Puerto Rico | 1.63 m (5 ft 4.2 in) | 80.5 kg (177.5 lb) | 30.3 |
| Romania | 1.64 m (5 ft 4.6 in) | 73.1 kg (161.2 lb) | 27.1 |
| Russia | 1.64 m (5 ft 4.6 in) | 70.3 kg (155.0 lb) | 26.0 |
| Samoa | 1.63 m (5 ft 4.2 in) | 92.3 kg (203.5 lb) | 34.8 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1.58 m (5 ft 2.2 in) | 74.6 kg (164.5 lb) | 29.8 |
| Senegal | 1.64 m (5 ft 4.6 in) | 67.1 kg (147.9 lb) | 25.1 |
| Serbia | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.1 in) | 71.7 kg (158.1 lb) | 25.4 |
| Singapore | 1.61 m (5 ft 3.4 in) | 64.3 kg (141.8 lb) | 24.8 |
| Slovakia | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 72.4 kg (159.6 lb) | 26.0 |
| Slovenia | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 70.3 kg (155.0 lb) | 25.2 |
| Somalia | 1.59 m (5 ft 2.6 in) | 65.7 kg (144.8 lb) | 25.9 |
| South Africa | 1.58 m (5 ft 2.2 in) | 75.8 kg (167.1 lb) | 30.2 |
| South Korea | 1.63 m (5 ft 4.2 in) | 61.6 kg (135.8 lb) | 23.3 |
| Spain | 1.62 m (5 ft 3.8 in) | 66.4 kg (146.4 lb) | 25.3 |
| Sri Lanka | 1.55 m (5 ft 1.0 in) | 60.7 kg (133.8 lb) | 25.1 |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | 1.63 m (5 ft 4.2 in) | 83.3 kg (183.6 lb) | 31.5 |
| Sudan | 1.60 m (5 ft 3.0 in) | 65.5 kg (144.4 lb) | 25.7 |
| Sweden | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 71.0 kg (156.5 lb) | 25.6 |
| Switzerland | 1.64 m (5 ft 4.6 in) | 63.9 kg (140.9 lb) | 23.8 |
| Taiwan | 1.60 m (5 ft 3.0 in) | 61.6 kg (135.8 lb) | 24.0 |
| Thailand | 1.59 m (5 ft 2.6 in) | 65.5 kg (144.4 lb) | 25.9 |
| Tokelau | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.4 in) | 94.2 kg (207.7 lb) | 34.3 |
| Tonga | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.4 in) | 96.4 kg (212.5 lb) | 35.1 |
| Turkey | 1.61 m (5 ft 3.4 in) | 74.3 kg (163.8 lb) | 28.5 |
| Tuvalu | 1.63 m (5 ft 4.2 in) | 90.7 kg (200.0 lb) | 34.1 |
| Ukraine | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.4 in) | 74.0 kg (163.1 lb) | 26.8 |
| United Arab Emirates | 1.60 m (5 ft 3.0 in) | 74.3 kg (163.8 lb) | 29.0 |
| United Kingdom | 1.64 m (5 ft 4.6 in) | 74.1 kg (163.4 lb) | 27.6 |
| United States | 1.63 m (5 ft 4.2 in) | 78.9 kg (173.9 lb) | 29.7 |
| Uruguay | 1.61 m (5 ft 3.4 in) | 74.7 kg (164.7 lb) | 28.7 |
| Venezuela | 1.60 m (5 ft 3.0 in) | 68.5 kg (151.0 lb) | 26.9 |
| Vietnam | 1.58 m (5 ft 2.2 in) | 56.2 kg (123.9 lb) | 22.6 |
| Yemen | 1.54 m (5 ft 0.6 in) | 58.8 kg (129.6 lb) | 24.8 |
| Zimbabwe | 1.60 m (5 ft 3.0 in) | 66.2 kg (145.9 lb) | 26.0 |
Average Adult Height, Weight and BMI of Males Aged 18-25 Around the World
| Country | Average height | Weight | BMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.1 in) | 71.2 kg (157.0 lb) | 25.3 |
| Albania | 1.74 m (5 ft 8.5 in) | 82.3 kg (181.4 lb) | 27.3 |
| Algeria | 1.74 m (5 ft 8.5 in) | 77.6 kg (171.1 lb) | 25.7 |
| American Samoa | 1.77 m (5 ft 9.7 in) | 104.5 kg (230.4 lb) | 33.5 |
| Andorra | 1.78 m (5 ft 10.1 in) | 84.1 kg (185.4 lb) | 26.5 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 1.78 m (5 ft 10.1 in) | 84.8 kg (187.0 lb) | 26.7 |
| Argentina | 1.74 m (5 ft 8.5 in) | 87.1 kg (192.0 lb) | 28.7 |
| Australia | 1.79 m (5 ft 10.5 in) | 89.9 kg (198.2 lb) | 28.2 |
| Austria | 1.78 m (5 ft 10.1 in) | 84.6 kg (186.5 lb) | 26.6 |
| Bahamas | 1.74 m (5 ft 8.5 in) | 87.5 kg (192.9 lb) | 28.9 |
| Bangladesh | 1.65 m (5 ft 5.0 in) | 61.2 kg (134.9 lb) | 22.6 |
| Belarus | 1.78 m (5 ft 10.1 in) | 85.0 kg (187.4 lb) | 26.8 |
| Belgium | 1.79 m (5 ft 10.5 in) | 85.2 kg (187.8 lb) | 26.6 |
| Belize | 1.70 m (5 ft 6.9 in) | 81.5 kg (179.7 lb) | 28.1 |
| Bermuda | 1.79 m (5 ft 10.5 in) | 85.5 kg (188.5 lb) | 26.7 |
| Bolivia | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.1 in) | 76.3 kg (168.2 lb) | 27.1 |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1.82 m (5 ft 11.7 in) | 89.7 kg (197.8 lb) | 27.2 |
| Brazil | 1.75 m (5 ft 8.9 in) | 83.5 kg (184.1 lb) | 27.2 |
| Bulgaria | 1.73 m (5 ft 8.1 in) | 81.5 kg (179.7 lb) | 27.1 |
| Burundi | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 63.3 kg (139.6 lb) | 22.8 |
| Cambodia | 1.65 m (5 ft 5.0 in) | 61.9 kg (136.5 lb) | 22.8 |
| Cameroon | 1.71 m (5 ft 7.3 in) | 70.5 kg (155.4 lb) | 24.1 |
| Canada | 1.78 m (5 ft 10.1 in) | 87.9 kg (193.8 lb) | 27.6 |
| Cape Verde | 1.75 m (5 ft 8.9 in) | 74.9 kg (165.1 lb) | 24.5 |
| Chad | 1.71 m (5 ft 7.3 in) | 66.8 kg (147.3 lb) | 22.9 |
| Chile | 1.73 m (5 ft 8.1 in) | 85.7 kg (188.9 lb) | 28.8 |
| China | 1.75 m (5 ft 8.9 in) | 76.2 kg (168.0 lb) | 25.0 |
| Colombia | 1.71 m (5 ft 7.3 in) | 77.5 kg (170.9 lb) | 26.4 |
| Congo DR | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.1 in) | 62.5 kg (137.8 lb) | 22.2 |
| Cook Islands | 1.78 m (5 ft 10.1 in) | 106.5 kg (234.8 lb) | 33.6 |
| Costa Rica | 1.74 m (5 ft 8.5 in) | 82.4 kg (181.7 lb) | 27.3 |
| Croatia | 1.81 m (5 ft 11.3 in) | 92.7 kg (204.4 lb) | 28.4 |
| Cuba | 1.73 m (5 ft 8.1 in) | 79.0 kg (174.2 lb) | 26.3 |
| Czechia | 1.81 m (5 ft 11.3 in) | 91.5 kg (201.7 lb) | 28.0 |
| Denmark | 1.82 m (5 ft 11.7 in) | 86.1 kg (189.8 lb) | 26.1 |
| Dominica | 1.80 m (5 ft 10.9 in) | 82.7 kg (182.3 lb) | 25.6 |
| East Timor | 1.59 m (5 ft 2.6 in) | 55.2 kg (121.7 lb) | 21.7 |
| Ecuador | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 76.2 kg (168.0 lb) | 27.3 |
| Egypt | 1.73 m (5 ft 8.1 in) | 83.1 kg (183.2 lb) | 27.8 |
| El Salvador | 1.70 m (5 ft 6.9 in) | 78.1 kg (172.2 lb) | 27.0 |
| Eritrea | 1.70 m (5 ft 6.9 in) | 60.3 kg (132.9 lb) | 20.8 |
| Estonia | 1.82 m (5 ft 11.7 in) | 90.6 kg (199.7 lb) | 27.2 |
| Ethiopia | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.1 in) | 59.6 kg (131.4 lb) | 21.2 |
| Finland | 1.80 m (5 ft 10.9 in) | 88.6 kg (195.3 lb) | 27.3 |
| France | 1.78 m (5 ft 10.1 in) | 80.1 kg (176.6 lb) | 25.2 |
| French Polynesia | 1.78 m (5 ft 10.1 in) | 95.8 kg (211.2 lb) | 30.2 |
| Georgia | 1.75 m (5 ft 8.9 in) | 86.6 kg (190.9 lb) | 28.3 |
| Germany | 1.80 m (5 ft 10.9 in) | 87.8 kg (193.6 lb) | 27.1 |
| Ghana | 1.69 m (5 ft 6.5 in) | 66.1 kg (145.7 lb) | 23.0 |
| Greece | 1.79 m (5 ft 10.5 in) | 88.5 kg (195.1 lb) | 27.7 |
| Grenada | 1.78 m (5 ft 10.1 in) | 82.2 kg (181.2 lb) | 26.0 |
| Guatemala | 1.64 m (5 ft 4.6 in) | 72.3 kg (159.4 lb) | 26.9 |
| Haiti | 1.72 m (5 ft 7.7 in) | 67.0 kg (147.7 lb) | 22.7 |
| Hong Kong | 1.74 m (5 ft 8.5 in) | 74.4 kg (164.0 lb) | 24.5 |
| Hungary | 1.76 m (5 ft 9.3 in) | 88.5 kg (195.1 lb) | 28.5 |
| Iceland | 1.81 m (5 ft 11.3 in) | 90.2 kg (198.9 lb) | 27.4 |
| India | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.4 in) | 64.2 kg (141.5 lb) | 23.4 |
| Indonesia | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.4 in) | 64.4 kg (142.0 lb) | 23.5 |
| Iran | 1.75 m (5 ft 8.9 in) | 80.3 kg (177.0 lb) | 26.3 |
| Ireland | 1.79 m (5 ft 10.5 in) | 88.6 kg (195.3 lb) | 27.8 |
| Israel | 1.76 m (5 ft 9.3 in) | 82.9 kg (182.8 lb) | 26.9 |
| Italy | 1.74 m (5 ft 8.5 in) | 79.1 kg (174.4 lb) | 26.1 |
| Ivory Coast | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.1 in) | 67.1 kg (147.9 lb) | 23.8 |
| Jamaica | 1.76 m (5 ft 9.3 in) | 80.6 kg (177.7 lb) | 25.9 |
| Japan | 1.72 m (5 ft 7.7 in) | 71.0 kg (156.5 lb) | 24.1 |
| Kazakhstan | 1.74 m (5 ft 8.5 in) | 81.5 kg (179.7 lb) | 26.8 |
| Kiribati | 1.70 m (5 ft 6.9 in) | 83.3 kg (183.6 lb) | 28.9 |
| Laos | 1.62 m (5 ft 3.8 in) | 62.4 kg (137.6 lb) | 23.7 |
| Latvia | 1.80 m (5 ft 10.9 in) | 88.8 kg (195.8 lb) | 27.4 |
| Lebanon | 1.78 m (5 ft 10.1 in) | 88.6 kg (195.3 lb) | 27.9 |
| Lithuania | 1.80 m (5 ft 10.9 in) | 88.1 kg (194.2 lb) | 27.1 |
| Luxembourg | 1.78 m (5 ft 10.1 in) | 85.2 kg (187.8 lb) | 26.9 |
| Madagascar | 1.65 m (5 ft 5.0 in) | 60.6 kg (133.6 lb) | 22.3 |
| Malaysia | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.1 in) | 73.4 kg (161.8 lb) | 25.9 |
| Maldives | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.1 in) | 71.2 kg (157.0 lb) | 25.3 |
| Mexico | 1.70 m (5 ft 6.9 in) | 81.6 kg (179.9 lb) | 28.3 |
| Micronesia | 1.69 m (5 ft 6.5 in) | 83.1 kg (183.2 lb) | 29.0 |
| Montenegro | 1.83 m (6 ft 0.0 in) | 89.4 kg (197.1 lb) | 26.7 |
| Morocco | 1.75 m (5 ft 8.9 in) | 77.1 kg (170.0 lb) | 25.1 |
| Myanmar | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.4 in) | 62.2 kg (137.1 lb) | 22.6 |
| Nauru | 1.69 m (5 ft 6.5 in) | 96.7 kg (213.2 lb) | 33.7 |
| Nepal | 1.64 m (5 ft 4.6 in) | 62.9 kg (138.7 lb) | 23.4 |
| Netherlands | 1.84 m (6 ft 0.4 in) | 87.2 kg (192.2 lb) | 25.9 |
| New Zealand | 1.78 m (5 ft 10.1 in) | 89.5 kg (197.3 lb) | 28.4 |
| Nigeria | 1.70 m (5 ft 6.9 in) | 68.2 kg (150.4 lb) | 23.7 |
| Niue | 1.77 m (5 ft 9.7 in) | 100.0 kg (220.5 lb) | 31.9 |
| North Korea | 1.74 m (5 ft 8.5 in) | 72.5 kg (159.8 lb) | 24.0 |
| Norway | 1.80 m (5 ft 10.9 in) | 88.4 kg (194.9 lb) | 27.2 |
| Pakistan | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 72.4 kg (159.6 lb) | 26.1 |
| Palestine | 1.74 m (5 ft 8.5 in) | 83.2 kg (183.4 lb) | 27.5 |
| Paraguay | 1.73 m (5 ft 8.1 in) | 83.6 kg (184.3 lb) | 27.9 |
| Philippines | 1.65 m (5 ft 5.0 in) | 64.5 kg (142.2 lb) | 23.8 |
| Poland | 1.80 m (5 ft 10.9 in) | 90.0 kg (198.4 lb) | 27.7 |
| Portugal | 1.74 m (5 ft 8.5 in) | 79.8 kg (175.9 lb) | 26.4 |
| Puerto Rico | 1.79 m (5 ft 10.5 in) | 91.3 kg (201.3 lb) | 28.6 |
| Romania | 1.77 m (5 ft 9.7 in) | 89.2 kg (196.7 lb) | 28.4 |
| Russia | 1.76 m (5 ft 9.3 in) | 82.8 kg (182.5 lb) | 26.7 |
| Samoa | 1.73 m (5 ft 8.1 in) | 93.6 kg (206.4 lb) | 31.1 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1.70 m (5 ft 6.9 in) | 83.0 kg (183.0 lb) | 28.7 |
| Senegal | 1.75 m (5 ft 8.9 in) | 69.1 kg (152.3 lb) | 22.6 |
| Serbia | 1.80 m (5 ft 10.9 in) | 89.5 kg (197.3 lb) | 27.5 |
| Singapore | 1.73 m (5 ft 8.1 in) | 77.6 kg (171.1 lb) | 25.9 |
| Slovakia | 1.81 m (5 ft 11.3 in) | 91.5 kg (201.7 lb) | 28.0 |
| Slovenia | 1.81 m (5 ft 11.3 in) | 90.6 kg (199.7 lb) | 27.7 |
| Somalia | 1.70 m (5 ft 6.9 in) | 65.0 kg (143.3 lb) | 22.4 |
| South Africa | 1.69 m (5 ft 6.5 in) | 70.8 kg (156.1 lb) | 24.7 |
| South Korea | 1.75 m (5 ft 8.9 in) | 77.1 kg (170.0 lb) | 25.2 |
| Spain | 1.76 m (5 ft 9.3 in) | 82.4 kg (181.7 lb) | 26.7 |
| Sri Lanka | 1.67 m (5 ft 5.7 in) | 66.2 kg (145.9 lb) | 23.6 |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | 1.73 m (5 ft 8.1 in) | 86.7 kg (191.1 lb) | 28.8 |
| Sudan | 1.71 m (5 ft 7.3 in) | 69.9 kg (154.1 lb) | 23.9 |
| Sweden | 1.80 m (5 ft 10.9 in) | 87.1 kg (192.0 lb) | 26.8 |
| Switzerland | 1.79 m (5 ft 10.5 in) | 81.6 kg (179.9 lb) | 25.6 |
| Taiwan | 1.73 m (5 ft 8.1 in) | 76.8 kg (169.3 lb) | 25.6 |
| Thailand | 1.71 m (5 ft 7.3 in) | 72.8 kg (160.5 lb) | 24.8 |
| Tokelau | 1.76 m (5 ft 9.3 in) | 101.5 kg (223.8 lb) | 32.8 |
| Tonga | 1.75 m (5 ft 8.9 in) | 98.9 kg (218.0 lb) | 32.4 |
| Turkey | 1.76 m (5 ft 9.3 in) | 83.7 kg (184.5 lb) | 27.1 |
| Tuvalu | 1.71 m (5 ft 7.3 in) | 91.2 kg (201.1 lb) | 31.2 |
| Ukraine | 1.80 m (5 ft 10.9 in) | 86.7 kg (191.1 lb) | 26.7 |
| United Arab Emirates | 1.73 m (5 ft 8.1 in) | 84.2 kg (185.6 lb) | 28.0 |
| United Kingdom | 1.78 m (5 ft 10.1 in) | 87.4 kg (192.7 lb) | 27.6 |
| United States | 1.77 m (5 ft 9.7 in) | 90.9 kg (200.4 lb) | 29.1 |
| Uruguay | 1.74 m (5 ft 8.5 in) | 85.7 kg (188.9 lb) | 28.3 |
| Venezuela | 1.73 m (5 ft 8.1 in) | 78.6 kg (173.3 lb) | 26.3 |
| Vietnam | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.1 in) | 63.8 kg (140.7 lb) | 22.6 |
| Yemen | 1.63 m (5 ft 4.2 in) | 64.1 kg (141.3 lb) | 24.2 |
| Zimbabwe | 1.70 m (5 ft 6.9 in) | 66.9 kg (147.5 lb) | 23.2 |
Data Source and Methodology
The figures in the tables below are drawn from pooled, population-representative measurement studies compiled by the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC), a network of health scientists coordinated by Imperial College London and working with the World Health Organization. Height and weight values reflect NCD-RisC's 2022 analysis; body mass index values summarize the years 2020 to 2024. Country-level values were compiled via WorldData.info.
What these numbers do and do not represent
- Age range: all figures refer to people aged 18 to 25 years. They are not averages for a whole national population of all ages.
- Older adults: stature declines with age, typically by around 1 to 2 cm per decade after age 40 through vertebral compression and postural change. Readers sizing equipment for seniors should treat the figures here as an upper bound.
- Measured, not self-reported: NCD-RisC restricts its pooling to studies in which height and weight were physically measured.
- Averages conceal spread: a national mean says nothing about the range. Designing to a single average will exclude a large share of any population.
- Unweighted country list: averages quoted across the chart are averages of national figures, not population-weighted global averages.
- Rounding: metric values are rounded to two decimal places; imperial conversions are derived from the rounded metric value.
Last verified against source: .
References
- NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). "A century of trends in adult human height." eLife 2016;5:e13410. https://elifesciences.org/articles/13410
- NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). "Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults." The Lancet 2024;403(10431):1027-1050. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)02750-2/fulltext
- NCD Risk Factor Collaboration. "Height - Data Downloads." ncdrisc.org
- WorldData.info. "Average height and weight by country." worlddata.info
- World Health Organization. "Body mass index." who.int
- US National Center for Health Statistics. "National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES): Anthropometric Reference Data." cdc.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
How is average height typically measured for these country comparisons?
Reliable figures come from studies where a trained examiner physically measures each person's stature and weight, rather than asking people to report their own numbers, which tends to reduce error and overstatement.
Why do people in some countries grow taller than in others?
Genetics sets a range, but most of the gap between nations comes from nutrition, childhood health, and living conditions, so populations with better early nutrition and fewer serious illnesses generally reach greater adult height.
Does a person's height change as they get older?
Yes, stature usually declines by roughly 1 to 2 cm per decade after about age 40, mainly through compression of the spinal discs and changes in posture.
What is body mass index and what are its limits?
Body mass index is weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared, used as a rough screening measure, though it does not distinguish muscle from fat or account for differences in build.
Are these averages a good guide for the whole population of a country?
No, each figure reflects only adults aged 18 to 25, so it does not represent children, middle-aged, or older residents, and it says nothing about the wide range of heights within any nation.
Why should designers avoid building only to the average height?
An average excludes a large share of any population by definition, so equipment, furniture, and spaces built to a single mean will fit poorly for the many people who are taller or shorter.
How often is this height and weight data updated?
The figures track the source collaboration's periodic analyses, and the page carries a \"last verified against source\" date so readers can confirm how current the information is.
Update History
- - Added a data source and methodology section citing the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, with a full reference list. Clarified throughout that figures cover ages 18 to 25. Added an At a Glance summary and a frequently asked questions section. Added North Korea, bringing both tables to 128 countries. Removed an inaccurate reference to urban and rural distinctions. Expanded the page's structured data.
- - First published.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Height has long served as a quiet barometer of a nation's health, and these figures reward a careful reader more than a casual glance, because a tall national average can mask deep inequality while a modest one may reflect steady, broadly shared nutrition. The data covers only the 18 to 25 age band, so it captures populations near their peak stature rather than the full sweep of a country's citizens, which is precisely why designers, clinicians, and caregivers should resist treating any single number as a universal fit. Pacific nations such as American Samoa, the Cook Islands, and Tonga stand out for markedly higher weight and BMI readings, a pattern researchers tie to shifts in diet and lifestyle rather than stature itself, and the last verification against source was recorded on 28 July 2026, giving anyone who cites this material a clear reference point for currency.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.