Average Height by Country: Complete Table 2026
Discover the average height of men and women in 15 countries — including Brazil — and understand why it varies so much around the world.
The average height in Brazil is approximately 175.7 cm for men and 162.9 cm for women. The tallest country in the world is the Netherlands, at 183.8 cm (men) and 170.4 cm (women).
Average height varies dramatically between countries — more than 20 cm separate the tallest populations from the shortest. Genetics, childhood nutrition, public health, and even socioeconomic level shape these numbers over generations.
Below you will find a table with the most cited values from published studies, plus the context that numbers alone do not show: why Brazil sits where it does, and what it really means to be "above" or "below" average.
Table: average height by country
The values below are approximate adult averages compiled from published population studies. Small variations between sources are normal — average height changes with the study year, the age group measured, and the methodology.
| Country | Men (cm) | Women (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 183,8 | 170,4 |
| Montenegro | 183,3 | 169,6 |
| Denmark | 182,6 | 169,1 |
| Germany | 180,3 | 166,6 |
| France | 178,6 | 164,5 |
| United Kingdom | 177,5 | 164,4 |
| USA | 177,1 | 163,5 |
| Italy | 176,5 | 165,0 |
| Spain | 176,1 | 163,0 |
| Brazil | 175,7 | 162,9 |
| China | 175,7 | 163,5 |
| Argentina | 174,5 | 161,0 |
| Portugal | 173,9 | 163,0 |
| South Korea | 174,9 | 162,3 |
| Japan | 172,1 | 158,5 |
| Mexico | 169,5 | 160,8 |
| India | 166,3 | 155,5 |
Approximate values. Sources vary in year, age group, and measurement method — use as a reference, not as an exact measurement.
Where Brazil stands
Brazil sits right in the middle of the world ranking — above the global average, but below the countries of northern Europe. Within Latin America, Brazil is among the tallest, ahead of Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia.
One important detail: the Brazilian average height has been rising for decades, following improvements in nutrition and public health. Each new generation measures, on average, a little more than the previous one — a trend observed in almost every developing country.
Why does average height vary so much?
Three factors explain almost all the difference between countries:
- • Genetics (about 80% of individual variation): populations with a history of selection for greater stature — like the Dutch and Montenegrins — keep that trait for generations.
- • Childhood nutrition: adequate protein, calcium, and calories in the first years of life are decisive. Countries that eliminated child malnutrition saw average height rise within a generation.
- • Public health: sanitation, vaccination, and access to pediatricians reduce the diseases that limit growth.
How to compare yourself to the average
Knowing your country’s average is interesting — but what really matters for health is how you compare to your own growth curve over time, not to a single number.
Want to see where you fit in? Use our free calculator to convert and compare your height:
Frequently asked questions
Which country has the highest average height in the world?
The Netherlands leads: about 183.8 cm for men and 170.4 cm for women, according to the most cited population studies.
Is the average height in Brazil increasing?
Yes. As in most developing countries, improvements in nutrition and public health have been raising the Brazilian average with each generation.
Is 175 cm considered tall in Brazil?
For men, 175 cm is practically the national average (175.7 cm). For women, it would be well above the female average (162.9 cm) — sex context matters as much as country context.
Why are the Dutch so tall?
A combination of genetics, excellent childhood nutrition, and one of the best public health systems in the world, maintained for generations. There is no single "secret".