Genetics may have a stronger influence on the height differences between individuals living in environments that offer quality nutrition and little exposure to disease. This means that 80% of height differences between people occur due to genetic factors. In most cases, female height tracks male height, such that nations with taller males also have taller females. In France, the average male measures 69.5 inches (5′ 9″). In the United Kingdom and Australia, the average male is around 70 inches tall (5′ 10″). Yemen, Laos, and Madagascar also have some of the shortest males worldwide. Malawi is a close second, with an average height of 63 inches (5′ 3″). Indonesia has an average height of 62.25 inches (5′ 2″), the lowest in the world. Those from Eastern Europe also rank near the top of the list. Males born in the Netherlands are the tallest worldwide, with heights averaging just under 72 inches (6′ 0″). In Sub-Saharan Africa, poor nutrition has stunted growth, reversing height gains over the past two decades. Iranian males have grown more than those of any other nation, with height increases averaging 6 inches during this time. People from East Asia have seen significant height gains over the past century. However, because this improvement in health has persisted for the past 20 years or so, children are no longer growing taller than their parents.Ī 2016 study in the journal eLife reports that nations that have experienced more significant improvements in health and nutrition have a taller average height. children have faced fewer growth-stunting nutritional problems or health issues, so they have grown taller. This is mainly due to better health and nutrition. However, today’s children will average the same height as their parents. adults gained about 2 inches on their parents. increases in average height.Įvery 20 years, U.S. Other nations are growing at a faster rate while the U.S. Since then, they have moved to 37th place for average height. males were the third tallest in the world. are growing has slowed compared with other nations.

was 67 inches (5′ 7″).Īlthough this marks a growth of more than 2 inches, the rate at which people in the U.S. Around a century ago, the average height in the U.S. In 2017, the average male in the United States measured 69 inches (5 feet 9 inches). Share on Pinterest The average height for males varies by region, due to health and nutrition.

What is the average height of a man