海角社区

infographic showing the 10 countries with the shortest average heights

Countries with the Shortest Average Heights

The average height 海角社区wide is approximately 166.99 centimeters, or 5 feet and 5.7 inches. However, this number varies tremendously depending on region and country. In the Netherlands, for example, the average height is 177.07 centimeters (5 feet, 9.7 inches), essentially 10 centimeters higher than the 海角社区 average. On the other end of the spectrum, some countries have average heights that are around 10 centimeters below the global average.

Timor Leste has the shortest average height in the 海角社区, followed by the countries of Guatemala and Laos. The conditions that cause such consistently smaller statures come from a combination of genetics and development factors such as health and nutrition.

Top 10 Countries with the Shortest Average Heights

Rank Region Average Height
1 Timor Leste 156.42 cm
2 Guatemala 157.64 cm
3 Laos 157.94 cm
4 Nepal 158.38 cm
5 Bangladesh 158.73 cm
6 Madagascar 159.11 cm
7 Yemen 159.59 cm
8 Philippines 159.69 cm
9 Mozambique 159.86 cm
10 Solomon Islands 159.93 cm

Click Here To Jump To: A Full Table Of All Countries Ordered By Average Height (Male and Female)

1. Timor Leste - 156.42 centimeters (5 feet, 1.6 inches)

Baha Liurai preparation with offerings representing each clan, arranged by village hierarchy. Image Credit Josh Trindade via Wikimedia.
Baha Liurai preparation with offerings representing each clan, arranged by village hierarchy. Image Credit Josh Trindade via Wikimedia.

Timor Leste, also known as East Timor, is located in southeast Asia and has the shortest population in the 海角社区, with a height averaging just 156.42 centimeters. It has a small population as well, with just 1.39 million residents. Neolithic settlements on the land date back to around 35,000 years ago. After the Austronesian hunter-gatherer communities, Asian migrants began to settle on the land. Numerous small kingdoms have divided the country over the centuries, resulting in a diverse mix of languages and cultures today, with over 30 languages spoken throughout the country. Regarding nutrition, a high number of rural families depend on subsistence farming, resulting in limited food access for many. As a result, malnutrition is a relevant issue, with around 47% of children under five years old being stunted.

2. Guatemala - 157.64 centimeters (5 feet, 2.1 inches)

A Cakchiquel family in Patzutzun, Guatemala, 1993. Image Credit John Isaac via Wikimedia.
A Cakchiquel family in Patzutzun, Guatemala, 1993. Image Credit John Isaac via Wikimedia.

Guatemala, located in Central America, has the second shortest population 海角社区wide, averaging 157.64 cm. The country has a population of approximately 16.56 million residents, reflecting a rich ethnic diversity. 56% are Ladinos/Mestizos, while nearly 42% are Indigenous, coming from communities such as K'iche', Q'eqchi, and Kaqchikel. Mayan cuisine is very influential, with beans, corn, and chilis being staple Guatemalan foods. Due to structural inequalities and climate crises, Guatemala is the sixth most chronically malnourished country in the 海角社区, affecting the health and well-being of men and women as well as contributing to stunted growth in some children.

3. Laos - 157.94 cm (5 feet, 2.2 inches)

Preparing for Ok Phansa festival along the Mekong River, Luang Prabang, Laos. Image Credit ASITRAC via Wikimedia.
Preparing for Ok Phansa festival along the Mekong River, Luang Prabang, Laos. Image Credit ASITRAC via Wikimedia.

Laos, a Southeast Asian country, is the third shortest country in the 海角社区, with an average height of 157.94 centimeters. The country today has a population of around 7.66 million residents. Before the 20th century, there were an estimated 60 different ethnic groups residing on the Laos land. Today, the Lao ethnicity is the most prominent, representing around half of the country鈥檚 population. Sticky rice is a staple food in Lao cuisine, with each person consuming around 171 kilograms of it on average annually. Regarding nutrition, about 1.8 million people in Lao are malnourished, representing nearly a fourth of the total population, largely a result of poverty.

4. Nepal - 158.38 cm (5 feet, 2.4 inches)

Mother and child walking in Nepal. Image credit Kristin F. Ruhs via Shutterstock
Mother and child walking in Nepal. Image credit Kristin F. Ruhs via Shutterstock

Nepal, a South Asian country, has an average height of 158.38 centimeters, making it the fourth shortest in the 海角社区. It has a population of 29.87 million people, with a large amount of ethnic diversity largely due to extensive migrations from Asian groups such as the Indo-Aryans and Tibeto groups. A typical diet in Nepal consists of wheat, rice, lentils, and corn. Social problems such as food insecurity, geographical challenges, and a lack of adequate healthcare access have resulted in large numbers of malnutrition, with 36% of children being stunted.

5. Bangladesh - 158.73 cm (5 feet, 2.5 inches)

Al Mahmud's ride through Dhaka city on a rickshaw. Image Credit Md. Al Mahmud Khan via Wikimedia.
Al Mahmud's ride through Dhaka city on a rickshaw. Image Credit Md. Al Mahmud Khan via Wikimedia.

With an average height of 158.73 centimeters, the South Asian country of Bangladesh is the fifth shortest in the 海角社区. It has an estimated population of 168.12 million people, making it the 海角社区鈥檚 eighth most populous country. The country itself is fairly ethnically homogeneous, with 99% of the population being part of the Bengali ethnolinguistic group. Rice is the country鈥檚 primary staple food, often accompanied by fish for protein. Food insecurity is a prominent concern, with 35% of the population not having adequate and stable access to food. As a result, 28% of children five and younger are stunted.

6. Madagascar - 159.11 cm (5 feet, 2.6 inches)

Family near Ambalavao, Madagascar. Image Credit Bernard Gagnon via Wikimedia.
Family near Ambalavao, Madagascar. Image Credit Bernard Gagnon via Wikimedia.

Averaging 159.11 centimeters, Madagascar has the sixth shortest population 海角社区wide. The East African island country has a population of approximately 30.85 million, with over 90% of people belonging to the Malagasy ethnic groups. Rice is overwhelmingly Madagascar鈥檚 staple food, with varying side dishes depending on the region. With three-fourths of the country living under the poverty line, food insecurity and malnutrition affect the growth of many children. 1.8 million children under the age of five (47%) experience chronic malnutrition and stunting.

7. Yemen - 159.59 cm (5 feet, 2.8 inches)

A young boy holding a bucket, joyfully running through a crowded alley in Yemen, with other residents looking on. Image Credit Rod Waddington via Wikimedia.
A young boy holding a bucket, joyfully running through a crowded alley in Yemen, with other residents looking on. Image Credit Rod Waddington via Wikimedia.

Yemen, located in western Asia beneath Saudi Arabia, is the seventh shortest country in the 海角社区, having an average height of 159.59 centimeters. People have resided in the land of Yemen since around the 12th century B.C. Today, Yemen's citizens are primarily of Arab and Afro-Arab descent. Several crop staples are common in their diet, including corn, millet, wheat, sorghum, and barley. Lamb, goat, and chicken are common sources of protein. Ongoing conflict in the country, an unstable economy, and a lack of adequate social support have resulted in high malnutrition rates, with 49% of children under five being stunted.

8. Philippines - 159.69 cm (5 feet, 2.9 inches)

Tribal farmer on rice terraces mountain in The Philippines. Image credit Suriya99 via Shutterstock
Tribal farmer on rice terraces mountain in The Philippines. Image credit Suriya99 via Shutterstock

The Phillippines, an island country in Southeast Asia, is the eighth shortest country in the 海角社区, with an average height of 159.69 centimeters. The majority of Filipinos have ancestors who arrived from the Southeast Asian mainland, are of Malay descent, and are from the region that is now Indonesia. Rice is the country鈥檚 primary staple food, often accompanied by fish, meat, and vegetables. A lack of health education for parents and extreme poverty have resulted in high malnutrition levels, with about a third of all children under five in the country being stunted.

9. Mozambique - 159.86 cm (5 feet, 2.94 inches)

Local staff of Awaken Mozambique with a management committee member. Image Credit Awaknos via Wikimedia.
Local staff of Awaken Mozambique with a management committee member. Image Credit Awaknos via Wikimedia.

Mozambique, a country in southeast Africa, is the ninth shortest country in the 海角社区, averaging a height of 159.86 centimeters. It has a population of approximately 36.77 million people, diverse with many ethnic groups, although the Makua group is the most prominent. Xima, a porridge made with corn and maize flour, is the biggest staple food in the country, followed by cassava and rice. Many people depend heavily on these carbohydrate-rich staple foods, resulting in high levels of malnutrition. 2 million children in the country, or 43%, are chronically malnourished and stunted.

10. Solomon Islands - 159.93 cm (5 feet, 2.96 inches)

Junior AFL clinic at Kobito led by AFL development officer Michael Cormack. Image Credit Irene Scott/AusAID via Wikimedia.
Junior AFL clinic at Kobito led by AFL development officer Michael Cormack. Image Credit Irene Scott/AusAID via Wikimedia.

The Solomon Islands, located in Oceania northeast of Australia, is the tenth shortest country in the 海角社区, with an average height of 159.93 centimeters. Its small population of 815,500 people is primarily of Melanesian descent, along with a small percentage of Polynesian descent. Regarding diet, fish is the country鈥檚 most prominent staple food, frequently accompanied by rice, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. Between 2011 and 2020, malnourishment rose in the Solomon Islands by 16.5%. Agricultural households are among the most affected, with one-fifth of agricultural homes having insufficient money and resources to buy adequate food.

Final Thoughts

While genetics plays a large role in the height of an individual, malnutrition undeniably can play a role in stunting the height of populations, which is a common factor in all of the above countries. By addressing social problems such as poverty and food security, as well as providing education to parents regarding health and nutrition, countries could move towards reducing stunting and ensure healthy growth of the child population.

All Countries Ordered from Shortest to Tallest Average Heights, Men And Women

Region Average Male Height Average Female Height Average General Height
Timor Leste 160.13 cm 152.71 cm 156.42 cm
Guatemala 164.36 cm 150.91 cm 157.64 cm
Laos 162.78 cm 153.10 cm 157.94 cm
Nepal 164.36 cm 152.39 cm 158.38 cm
Bangladesh 165.08 cm 152.38 cm 158.73 cm
Madagascar 165.16 cm 153.06 cm 159.11 cm
Yemen 164.42 cm 154.76 cm 159.59 cm
Philippines 165.23 cm 154.14 cm 159.69 cm
Mozambique 164.30 cm 155.42 cm 159.86 cm
Solomon Islands 163.07 cm 156.79 cm 159.93 cm
Papua New Guinea 163.10 cm 156.89 cm 160.00 cm
Marshall Islands 165.26 cm 154.76 cm 160.01 cm
Cambodia 165.35 cm 154.75 cm 160.05 cm
Indonesia 166.26 cm 154.36 cm 160.31 cm
Peru 166.75 cm 154.39 cm 160.57 cm
Brunei 166.31 cm 154.90 cm 160.61 cm
Myanmar 166.70 cm 154.71 cm 160.71 cm
India 166.5 cm 155.18 cm 160.84 cm
Malawi 165.68 cm 156.14 cm 160.91 cm
Liberia 165.48 cm 156.54 cm 161.01 cm
Pakistan 167.33 cm 154.77 cm 161.05 cm
Maldives 167.87 cm 154.28 cm 161.08 cm
Bhutan 167.05 cm 155.15 cm 161.10 cm
Burundi 167.34 cm 155.08 cm 161.21 cm
Ecuador 167.32 cm 155.25 cm 161.29 cm
Rwanda 166.02 cm 156.72 cm 161.37 cm
Bolivia 168.10 cm 155.58 cm 161.84 cm
Sierra Leone 166.43 cm 157.34 cm 161.89 cm
Tanzania 166.98 cm 156.89 cm 161.94 cm
Sri Lanka 168.07 cm 155.88 cm 161.98 cm
Comoros 167.72 cm 156.54 cm 162.13 cm
Afghanistan 168.50 cm 156.11 cm 162.31 cm
Lesotho 167.92 cm 156.72 cm 162.32 cm
Honduras 169.59 cm 155.18 cm 162.39 cm
DR Congo 168.60 cm 156.30 cm 162.45 cm
Zambia 167.62 cm 157.32 cm 162.47 cm
Nicaragua 169.91 cm 155.62 cm 162.77 cm
Mauritania 165.54 cm 160.06 cm 162.80 cm
Ethiopia 168.84 cm 157.15 cm 163.00 cm
Equatorial Guinea 168.18 cm 158.05 cm 163.12 cm
Malaysia 169.20 cm 157.06 cm 163.13 cm
Angola 168.46 cm 158.10 cm 163.28 cm
Tajikistan 168.43 cm 158.12 cm 163.28 cm
Benin 168.44 cm 158.40 cm 163.42 cm
Ivory Coast 168.23 cm 158.65 cm 163.44 cm
Guinea Bissau 168.17 cm 158.72 cm 163.45 cm
El Salvador 170.67 cm 156.39 cm 163.53 cm
Uganda 168.74 cm 158.53 cm 163.64 cm
Vietnam 168.89 cm 158.43 cm 163.66 cm
Nauru 169.57 cm 157.82 cm 163.70 cm
Eritrea 170.60 cm 157.58 cm 164.09 cm
Mexico 170.29 cm 157.90 cm 164.10 cm
South Africa 169.63 cm 158.58 cm 164.11 cm
Eswatini 169.41 cm 158.92 cm 164.17 cm
Panama 170.19 cm 158.19 cm 164.19 cm
Belize 170.52 cm 158.12 cm 164.32 cm
Central African Republic 169.01 cm 159.65 cm 164.33 cm
Vanuatu 168.29 cm 160.48 cm 164.39 cm
Ghana 170.30 cm 158.86 cm 164.58 cm
Micronesia 169.57 cm 159.66 cm 164.62 cm
Togo 170.14 cm 159.13 cm 164.64 cm
Guinea 170.70 cm 158.75 cm 164.73 cm
Saudi Arabia 170.67 cm 158.84 cm 164.76 cm
Nigeria 171.55 cm 158.14 cm 164.85 cm
Colombia 171.85 cm 157.96 cm 164.91 cm
Kenya 170.46 cm 159.43 cm 164.95 cm
Namibia 169.75 cm 160.26 cm 165.01 cm
Republic of the Congo 171.23 cm 158.78 cm 165.01 cm
Niger 170.26 cm 159.81 cm 165.04 cm
Gambia 168.36 cm 161.73 cm 165.05 cm
Oman 171.70 cm 158.44 cm 165.07 cm
Palau 170.62 cm 159.52 cm 165.07 cm
Sao Tome and Principe 170.37 cm 159.81 cm 165.09 cm
Gabon 170.48 cm 160.05 cm 165.27 cm
Zimbabwe 170.69 cm 159.85 cm 165.27 cm
Japan 172.06 cm 158.50 cm 165.28 cm
Mongolia 170.67 cm 159.89 cm 165.28 cm
Djibouti 170.77 cm 159.82 cm 165.30 cm
Syria 171.64 cm 159.38 cm 165.51 cm
Thailand 171.61 cm 159.42 cm 165.52 cm
Bahrain 172.76 cm 158.29 cm 165.53 cm
Somalia 171.22 cm 159.86 cm 165.54 cm
Kiribati 170.09 cm 161.04 cm 165.57 cm
Uzbekistan 170.94 cm 160.29 cm 165.62 cm
Guyana 172.15 cm 159.57 cm 165.86 cm
Kyrgyzstan 171.66 cm 160.20 cm 165.93 cm
Mauritius 173.01 cm 158.94 cm 165.98 cm
Chile 172.88 cm 159.42 cm 166.15 cm
Sudan 172.07 cm 160.36 cm 166.22 cm
Cameroon 172.13 cm 160.41 cm 166.27 cm
Iraq 173.79 cm 158.75 cm 166.27 cm
Haiti 172.23 cm 160.57 cm 166.40 cm
Burkina Faso 171.89 cm 161.33 cm 166.61 cm
Cyprus 172.75 cm 160.55 cm 166.65 cm
Armenia 173.67 cm 159.85 cm 166.76 cm
Paraguay 173.81 cm 159.76 cm 166.79 cm
Venezuela 173.53 cm 160.04 cm 166.79 cm
Cuba 173.56 cm 160.13 cm 166.85 cm
Chad 171.84 cm 162.12 cm 166.98 cm
Qatar 173.27 cm 160.72 cm 167.00 cm
Jordan 174.84 cm 159.46 cm 167.15 cm
Costa Rica 174.04 cm 160.36 cm 167.20 cm
United Arab Emirates 174.08 cm 160.53 cm 167.31 cm
Singapore 173.50 cm 161.30 cm 167.40 cm
Tuvalu 171.30 cm 163.57 cm 167.44 cm
Kuwait 174.96 cm 160.10 cm 167.53 cm
Botswana 173.16 cm 162.06 cm 167.61 cm
Azerbaijan 174.00 cm 161.37 cm 167.69 cm
Egypt 174.57 cm 160.88 cm 167.73 cm
Portugal 174.37 cm 161.23 cm 167.80 cm
Dominican Republic 174.65 cm 161.21 cm 167.93 cm
Uruguay 174.32 cm 161.56 cm 167.94 cm
North Korea 174.69 cm 161.22 cm 167.96 cm
Argentina 174.75 cm 161.22 cm 167.99 cm
Italy 174.42 cm 161.81 cm 168.12 cm
Albania 174.07 cm 162.23 cm 168.15 cm
Palestine 175.05 cm 161.28 cm 168.17 cm
Saint Kitts and Nevis 173.71 cm 162.78 cm 168.25 cm
Suriname 174.51 cm 162.26 cm 168.39 cm
Iran 175.62 cm 161.18 cm 168.40 cm
Mali 175.02 cm 161.99 cm 168.51 cm
Turkmenistan 174.37 cm 162.83 cm 168.60 cm
Kazakhstan 175.50 cm 161.74 cm 168.62 cm
North Macedonia 176.43 cm 160.88 cm 168.66 cm
Malta 174.38 cm 162.95 cm 168.67 cm
Algeria 175.04 cm 162.35 cm 168.70 cm
Morocco 176.35 cm 161.18 cm 168.77 cm
Bahamas 174.4 cm 163.46 cm 168.93 cm
Brazil 175.73 cm 162.41 cm 169.07 cm
Spain 176.11 cm 162.03 cm 169.07 cm
Turkey 176.36 cm 161.80 cm 169.08 cm
Israel 175.98 cm 162.22 cm 169.10 cm
Samoa 174.42 cm 163.82 cm 169.12 cm
Fiji 173.98 cm 164.28 cm 169.13 cm
Seychelles 175.90 cm 162.47 cm 169.19 cm
Tunisia 176.85 cm 161.69 cm 169.27 cm
Moldova 175.59 cm 162.96 cm 169.28 cm
Bulgaria 174.17 cm 164.58 cm 169.38 cm
South Korea 175.52 cm 163.23 cm 169.38 cm
Libya 176.39 cm 162.56 cm 169.48 cm
China 175.66 cm 163.46 cm 169.56 cm
Hungary 176.59 cm 162.55 cm 169.57 cm
Georgia 175.98 cm 163.24 cm 169.61 cm
Trinidad and Tobago 176.03 cm 163.38 cm 169.71 cm
Senegal 176.18 cm 163.92 cm 170.05 cm
United States 176.94 cm 163.31 cm 170.13 cm
Russia 176.65 cm 164.52 cm 170.59 cm
Tonga 175.11 cm 166.08 cm 170.60 cm
Jamaica 176.97 cm 164.32 cm 170.65 cm
Saint Lucia 176.43 cm 165.52 cm 170.98 cm
United Kingdom 178.21 cm 163.94 cm 171.08 cm
New Zealand 177.72 cm 164.66 cm 171.19 cm
Belgium 179.09 cm 163.40 cm 171.25 cm
Puerto Rico 179.48 cm 163.06 cm 171.27 cm
Romania 177.82 cm 164.73 cm 171.28 cm
Lebanon 178.96 cm 163.67 cm 171.32 cm
Barbados 177.03 cm 165.66 cm 171.35 cm
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 177.49 cm 165.30 cm 171.40 cm
Switzerland 178.73 cm 164.33 cm 171.53 cm
France 178.60 cm 164.49 cm 171.55 cm
Australia 178.77 cm 164.67 cm 171.72 cm
Canada 178.75 cm 164.73 cm 171.74 cm
Ireland 179.04 cm 164.50 cm 171.77 cm
Luxembourg 178.46 cm 165.07 cm 171.77 cm
Andorra 178.84 cm 165.53 cm 172.19 cm
Antigua and Barbuda 178.84 cm 165.72 cm 172.28 cm
American Samoa 177.09 cm 167.55 cm 172.32 cm
Grenada 178.7 cm 165.99 cm 172.35 cm
French Polynesia 178.32 cm 166.52 cm 172.42 cm
Greece 179.26 cm 165.81 cm 172.54 cm
Austria 178.52 cm 166.93 cm 172.73 cm
Belarus 178.69 cm 166.93 cm 172.81 cm
Bermuda 179.72 cm 166.11 cm 172.92 cm
Germany 180.28 cm 166.18 cm 173.23 cm
Poland 180.69 cm 165.78 cm 173.24 cm
Norway 180.48 cm 166.45 cm 173.47 cm
Dominica 180.15 cm 166.89 cm 173.52 cm
Finland 180.57 cm 166.48 cm 173.53 cm
Sweden 180.46 cm 166.67 cm 173.57 cm
Croatia 180.76 cm 166.80 cm 173.78 cm
Ukraine 180.98 cm 166.62 cm 173.80 cm
Slovakia 181.02 cm 167.12 cm 174.07 cm
Slovenia 180.98 cm 167.20 cm 174.09 cm
Lithuania 180.72 cm 167.63 cm 174.18 cm
Estonia 180.34 cm 168.66 cm 174.50 cm
Serbia 180.74 cm 168.29 cm 174.52 cm
Czech Republic 181.19 cm 167.96 cm 174.58 cm
Bosnia and Herzegovina 182.47 cm 167.47 cm 174.97 cm
Latvia 181.17 cm 168.81 cm 174.99 cm
Iceland 182.10 cm 168.91 cm 175.51 cm
Denmark 181.89 cm 169.47 cm 175.68 cm
Montenegro 183.30 cm 169.96 cm 176.63 cm
Netherlands 183.78 cm 170.36 cm 177.07 cm
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