With its beautiful historical sites, delectable cuisine, and rich cultural heritage, Europe stands as one of the most captivating and frequently visited continents. Just like any other continent, Europe has undergone significant transformations over the years. Thanks to new technological advancements, the European lifestyle has become healthier, making it one of the key factors contributing to the remarkable increase in the average height in Europe over the past century.
As of 2023, Europe is home to the ten tallest countries in the world. This increase in the average height in Europe is particularly notable when we consider the average height for men and the average height for women separately. Studies have shown that the average height for men in Europe has seen a more pronounced increase compared to the average height for women, reflecting various socio-economic and health factors. Nonetheless, both genders have shown notable growth trends over the years. Continue reading to discover which nations make up this list of the tallest countries and their respective positions in terms of the average height in Europe in 2023.
The Average Height in Europe
As we’ve said before, today, the tallest people in the world are living in Europe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s research, the average height for a man in Europe is 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm), while the average height for a woman in Europe is 5 feet 5.9 inches (167 cm). Compared to the average height in the world, men in Europe are 1.5 inches (4 cm) and women in Europe are 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) taller.
Europe map, with its diverse array of countries, displays considerable variations in the average height of individuals across different nations. This variation is influenced by a multitude of factors such as genetics, dietary habits, the quality of healthcare systems, socio-economic conditions, cultural norms, the prevalence of physical activity, and environmental influences. Each country in Europe contributes to this diverse spectrum of average heights due to these varying factors. You can find the data of average height in Europe below:
| Countries | Average Height for Men | Average Height for Women |
| The Netherlands | 183cm (6ft) | 170cm (5ft 7inc) |
| Sweden | 181cm (5ft 11inc) | 167cm (5ft 6inc) |
| Norway | 181cm (5ft 11inc) | 167cm (5ft 6inc) |
| Denmark | 181cm (5ft 11inc) | 169cm (5ft 6inc) |
| Spain | 175cm (5ft 9inc) | 162cm (5ft 4inc) |
| France | 176cm (5ft 9inc) | 162cm (5ft 4inc) |
| Germany | 180cm (5ft 11inc) | 166cm (5ft finc) |
| Italy | 175cm (5ft 9inc) | 161cm (5ft 3inc) |
| United Kingdom | 177cm (5ft 10inc) | 163cm (5ft 4inc) |
| Greece | 178cm (5ft 10inc) | 165cm (5ft 5inc) |
The Average Height in the UK
Although the UK is not considered to be a part of the European countries anymore, we would still like to talk about the average height in England. Currently, the average male height in Englandis 5 feet 9 inches (175.3 cm),and the average female height in Englandis 5 feet 3 inches (161 cm). Therefore, an average British man is 1.85 inches and an average British woman is 2.3 inches shorter than the European average height.
The reason why the height average in Englandis much shorter than the European average is because of the dietary differences and limited physical activity in the UK, especially in big cities like London. Eating deep-fried, fatty foods is a common dietary choice in England, which is something that affects the growth hormones in children. In addition, because of the busy city life, accommodation, and traffic, physical activity is very limited in England, especially in the working class. The reason why the height average in the UKis much shorter than the European average is because of the dietary differences and limited physical activity in the UK, especially in big cities like London. Eating deep-fried, fatty foods is a common dietary choice in England, which is something that affects the growth hormones in children. In addition, because of the busy city life, accommodation, and traffic, physical activity is very limited in England, especially in the working class.
The Ten Tallest Countries in the World
When we look at the Europe map, it's easy to see that the average height varies significantly from country to country. Although they are all on the same continent, the countries in Europe exhibit differences not only in average height but also in other physical characteristics, largely due to varying factors such as general lifestyle and health conditions. In the table below, you can find data on the countries in Europe with the tallest average heights.
| Country | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 1-The Netherlands | 6 feet (183.7 cm) | 5 feet 5.7 inches (170 cm) |
| 2-Montenegro | 6 feet (183.3 cm) | 5 feet 5.7 inches (169.9 cm) |
| 3-Bosnia and Herzegovina | 5 feet 11.8 inches (182.4 cm) | 5 feet 5.5 inches (167.4 cm) |
| 4-Denmark | 5 feet 11.5 inches (181.8 cm) | 5 feet 5.7 inches (169.4 cm) |
| 5-The Czech Republic | 5 feet 11 inches (181.1 cm) | 5 feet 5.5 inches (167.9 cm) |
| 6-Serbia | 5 feet 11 inches (180.7 cm) | 5 feet 5.6 inches (168.2 cm) |
| 7-Lithuania | 5 feet 11 inches (180.7 cm) | 5 feet 5.5 inches (167.6 cm) |
| 8--Slovenia | 5 feet 11 inches (180.9 m) | 5 feet 5.5 inches (167.2 cm) |
| 9-Croatia | 5 feet 11 inches (180.7 cm) | 5 feet 5.4 inches (166.8 cm) |
| 10-Germany | 5 feet 11 inches (180.2 cm) | 5 feet 5.4 inches (166.1 cm) |
Therefore, the tallest nation in the worldis the Netherlands.
The Average Height in Latin America, on the other hand, is much different from Europe’s, you can read that article as well if you wonder about the research results. Our Average Height in Asia article might help you to compare the two continents as well.
Now that you’ve learned anything and everything about the average height in Europe, with our Height Comparison Tool, you can compare your height to the UK male average height, female average height, the tallest or shortest person, and even to your friends and family.
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FAQ
- What is the tallest country in Europe?
The tallest country in Europe, and indeed the world, is the Netherlands. The average height for men in the Netherlands is typically around 183 cm (6 feet), while for women, it's about 170 cm (5 feet 7 inches). - What is the average male height in Europe?
As of 2023, the average height for men in Europe is generally around 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm). However, this is an average figure, and individual heights can vary significantly across different European countries. - What is the average female height in Europe?
As of 2023, the average height for women in Europe is approximately 5 feet 6 inches (170 cm). Similar to men, this average can vary across different European countries.
