Discover the Top 15 Countries With the Tallest Average Height

Certain countries tend to produce taller people — at least, that’s what the data suggests. Why this is isn’t exactly clear, although genetics certainly have a part to play. When two tall people have children, their kids will likely be tall as well. This phenomenon can turn into a self-reinforcing feedback loop.

The science surrounding finding out what country produces the tallest people isn’t exactly perfect. This is because certain elements of surveying for height can skew the results somewhat.

If gathering the data has people self-reporting their height, people tend to overestimate their own height. This also varies from culture to culture. Additionally, certain countries might have very large variations in height from region to region. Depending on the nature of the data gathering, certain tests may have invited guests rather than selected at random. This can introduce a sampling bias to the data.

Most of the tallest countries are in Northern Europe, a region well known for its very high quality of life and extensive social programs. Whether or not this has anything to do with producing taller people is somewhat unknown. However, it appears stress throughout one’s life, especially earlier life, seems to stunt one’s growth.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the difference in average height between disparate groups of people tends to be quite minute. Oftentimes, the differences are measured in just a few centimeters or fractions of centimeters. These measurements are so small that they oftentimes translate to producing the same height in inches. 183 and 182 centimeters are both roughly six feet tall, for example.

So with those caveats in mind, let’s move forward to exploring which countries tend to produce the tallest people.

1. Netherlands

The Netherlands is the world’s tallest country on average, producing a towering crop of individuals that average 183.78 cm for men and 170.36 cm for women — that’s about 6 ft and 5’7 ft, respectively.

The country has a distinctive culture and high quality of life. Its capital and largest city, Amsterdam, is celebrated for its bohemian lifestyle and urban canals. Surprisingly, the Netherlands is also the world’s second-largest exporter of agricultural products. It hits this achievement despite its rather small size.

The gargantuan size of the people of the Netherlands is actually something of a new phenomenon. In just 150 years, the size of the population of the Netherlands has shot up by about 20 cm.

2. Montenegro

Montenegro is the world’s second-tallest nation, with men averaging about 183.30 cm and women 169.96. The average height for men makes it a close second to tallest-nation-in-the-world The Netherlands.

Montenegro might have The Netherlands beat in one regard, however. The small nation is famous for its glittering beaches and fabulous Mediterranean climate. The country is squeezed in between Albania and Croatia and has one of Europe’s largest tracts of old-growth forests.

Montenegro is part of a region with an ethnic identity known as the “Dinaric” people. Several other countries that heavily represent this ethnic group are also on the list of the world’s tallest nations.

3. Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina, or Bosnia as it is more succinctly known, is also a very tall country. The men of this country average about 182.47 cm, while the women are 167.47 cm.

Bosnia is a former soviet satellite state that gained its independence through the break up of Yugoslavia. A devastating civil war in the 90s resulted in a resolution called the Dayton Agreement, which produced the country that we know today.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, like Montenegro, is a “Dinaric” nation – like Northern Europeans, this group of people seems to tend to grow quite tall.

4. Iceland

Coming up next is the small Arctic nation aptly named Iceland. In this place, men average about 182.1 cm, while women are 168.91 cm.

Iceland has a unique language, culture, and geography. These unique characteristics have made it a popular destination for international tourists. The volcanic nature of the landmass that Iceland is located on has also contributed to the presence of several volcanos and hot springs on the island.

Iceland is another country that routinely ranks very highly for quality of life and standards of living. This may have something to do with the people of this country growing to very large sizes. As stated before, in the absence of stress, the body tends to devote energy to growth in early childhood.

5. Denmark

The Kingdom of Denmark is the world’s 5th-tallest country, with men averaging about 181.89 cm and women averaging about 169.47 cm.

Denmark isn’t much of a real kingdom these days, as the king and queen wield really only symbolic power. The country is a democratic republic and is well known for its beautiful cities and friendly attitude. The city of Copenhagen has become a global darling for its intense fine dining scene and beautiful canals.

6. Czech Republic

The Czechs zoom in at number six on the list. In this country, the men average about 181.19 cm, and the women average about 169.47 cm.

The Czech Republic is a former soviet state that coasts on its beautiful architecture, very affordable cost of living, and tasty beer. The country is a member of the European Union, as well as the United Nations.

This country is part of a cultural region that goes by the name of Bohemia. This is the root of the term “Bohemian” — a lifestyle many enjoy today in the country’s capital of Prague.

7. Latvia

Latvia is a very tall country as well, with men averaging about 181.17 cm, and women about 167.96 cm. This country is one of the Baltic States, along with neighbors Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south.

In decades past, Latvia held the world title for having the world’s tallest women on average. In recent decades, they have been bumped down the list, as The Netherlands holds this distinction for both genders.

8. Slovakia

This entry is a country in Eastern Europe that has a number of interesting qualities. It’s actually the world’s largest producer of cars and automobiles, outstripping even the United States and Japan. In Slovakia, men average about 181.02 cm, while women make it to about 167.12 cm.

Slovakia has a dramatic mountainous terrain and relatively pristine nature — at least by the standards of modern Europe. There are many national parks within its boundaries, as well as several UNESCO World Heritage sites.

9. Ukraine

This Eastern European powerhouse is the world’s ninth-tallest country. In Ukraine, the men tend to be 180.98 cm high, while the women are about 166.62 cm.

Called the breadbasket of Europe, it produces much of the grain that feeds the rest of the European continent. The nation has also recently come into the eyes of the world due to the heartbreaking war occurring there since 2022.

10. Croatia

Neighbors with Bosnia and Montenegro, Croatia is a beautiful Mediterranean country that’s chock full of history, wine, and culture. Croatia has recently blossomed into a hot tourist destination for those visiting the Mediterranean. Visitors find themselves attracted to the beautiful scenery they can experience without breaking the bank.

Croatia is also a country with one of the highest biodiversities in Europe. There are many micro-ecosystems that exist within its borders. In Croatia, men average about 180.76 cm high, while women are about 166.80 cm.

11. Serbia

This country is the 11th-tallest country in the world. The Serbs grow tall, and men tend to be about 180.74 cm high, while women average at about 168.29 cm.

Serbia is inland but shares a border with three of the other countries on this list: Bosnia, Montenegro, and Croatia. Together, these countries form a region that’s called the Balkans.

Serbia is another country that formed in the wake of the break up of the socialist state Yugoslavia. Like many of the countries on this list, it provides its citizens with free health care and primary and secondary education.

12. Lithuania

Lithuania bops in at number 12 just to say hello. This northern European country has men that average at about 180.72 cm tall, and women that average at about 167.63 cm.

Lithuania is the world headquarters of speaking Lithuanian, one of the last and most widely used Baltic languages. In the 20th century, the country was occupied by the Soviets, then the Nazis, and then the Soviets again before becoming the first Soviet state to break away and declare independence.

13. Poland

Poland comes in at number 13. In Poland, men average about 180.69 cm in height, while women are about 165.78 cm tall.

Poland has distinctive food and an interesting history. Polish staples such as sauerkraut, pierogies, and stuffed cabbage have become popular in other cities around the globe. Poland is a middle-power and has the 6th largest GDP in Europe. Poland is also home to the endangered Wisent, the bison of Europe.

14. Finland

This nordic country is number 14 in the world in terms of height. This interesting nation has men who average about 180.57 cm tall, and women who average about 166.48 cm tall.

Finland has a number of interesting and unique aspects that set it apart in the world. For one, the country has an interesting language that has no known linguistic relatives in the rest of the world. The exact origins of the Finnish language and how it has developed remain something of a mystery. This country is also a land of many lakes — there are over 180,000 on its landscapes.

15. Norway

This entry rounds out the list at number 15. In this Scandinavian nation, men are about 180.48 cm tall, while women are about 166.45 cm.

Norway has one of the highest quality of life in the world, with an economy driven by its generous natural resources. The natural beauty of its Fjords and other natural landscapes are also things that have captured the world’s attention.

Norway is considered to be one of the highest-functioning democracies in the world. It consistently ranks very highly in terms of civil liberties and quality of life.