One of the most searched questions online is the average human heights across the globe. When it comes to human height, it is a partly hereditary trait. But, it is important to note that non-genetic, environmental factors during pregnancy through adolescence influence the height of individuals. Health and nutrition also play a huge role in the variance in centimeters between humans. The variations not only indicate genetic differences, but also differences in living standards. This post takes a look at the average human heights around the world. Let’s examine the variations in mean male and female heights.
How Tall Are Men Around the World?
According to research, the global mean height of adult men who were born in 1996 is 171 cm or 5.75 foot. There is a large difference in average height between nations. The tallest men can be found in the Netherlands with a height of 182 cm and the shortest being men in Timor who stand at 160 cm. This clearly shows a range of 8 inches or 22 cm. Moreover, one should bear in mind that there are clear distinctions between different regions. South Asian men tend to be the shortest on average with an average height of 165 cm. On the other hand, the tallest men are found in Central Asia and Europe with an average height of 177 cm.
How Tall Are Women Around the World?
If we compare men and women on an average, women are about 12 centimetres shorter than men. According to research, the average height of adult women globally was 159 cm or 5.3 foot in 1996. Guatemala has the shortest women in the world who have an average height of 149 cm, whereas, Latvian women tend to be 20 cm taller and have an average height of 169 cm. It is important to note that there are regional variations also when it comes to the heights of women just like men. The tallest women are Central Asian and European as well. They have a mean height of around 164 cm. On the other hand, South Asian women are the shortest at 153 cm.
So How Much Taller Are Men than Women?
When we look at the mean height of men and women on a global perspective, we notice that women are shorter than men by about 4.5 inches or 12 centimetres. The latest available data reveals that men have a global mean height of 171 cm, whereas, women have a global mean height of 159 cm. This disparity in height between the genders can be seen everywhere across the globe. It is the largest in Macedonia, where women are 18.5 cm shorter than men, and the smallest in Gambia, where the difference between the sexes is just 4.5 cm.
Conclusion
The average human heights around the world tell us a lot about how we as humans have evolved over the centuries. While some have gotten taller, others have become shorter. Human heights are changing all the time. We will see what the future holds for us.
