Which country has the tallest women?

The Netherlands has the tallest women on average at approximately 170.4 cm, followed by Latvia and Denmark.

What height is considered tall for a woman globally?

Any height above 170 cm (5'7") is well above the global average for women. In Western countries, above 175 cm is typically considered tall.

Has female height been increasing?

Yes, like male height, female average height has increased significantly over the past century due to better nutrition and healthcare.

Global Average Female Height

Last updated: January 15, 2026

159 cm

The global average height for adult women is approximately 159 cm (5'3"). The tallest female populations are in the Netherlands and Latvia, while shorter averages are found in Guatemala and parts of Southeast Asia.

Historical Trend

Source: NCD-RisC

Global Average Female Height by Country

Country	Value (cm) ↓	Source
Netherlands	170.4	NCD-RisC
Latvia	169.8	NCD-RisC
Denmark	168.7	NCD-RisC
United States	163.5	CDC
Japan	158	NCD-RisC
India	152.6	NCD-RisC
Guatemala	149.4	NCD-RisC

Why This Average Exists

Female height data tracks the nutritional and health status of women globally and is especially important for maternal health research.

Factors That Affect Global Average Female Height

Genetics
Childhood nutrition
Gender equity in food access
Healthcare quality
Hormonal factors
Environmental conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology & Data Sources

The data presented on this page is compiled from publicly available datasets published by international organizations including the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations, NASA, and national statistical agencies.

Global averages are calculated using population-weighted or arithmetic means depending on the metric. Country-level data reflects the most recent available figures, typically from 2024–2024. Where gaps exist, the latest available data point is used.

All figures are subject to revision as source organizations update their datasets. For the most authoritative data, we encourage consulting the original sources linked in the table above.