The "Dutch Giant" Phenomenon
For the last 40 years, the Netherlands has held the title of the tallest nation on Earth. The average Dutchman stands at 183.8 cm, while the average woman is 170.4 cm.
Scientists attribute this to a protein-rich diet (lots of dairy) and excellent pre-natal healthcare. However, recent 2025 data suggests that growth has plateaued, and averages are slightly decreasing due to changing demographics.
Global Height Rankings 2026
| Country | Men (Avg) | Women (Avg) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 183.8 cm | 170.4 cm | Stable |
| 🇲🇪 Montenegro | 183.3 cm | 169.4 cm | Rising ↗ |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia | 182.8 cm | 168.9 cm | Rising ↗ |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | 181.9 cm | 168.5 cm | Stable |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 180.3 cm | 166.2 cm | Stable |
| 🇺🇸 USA | 176.9 cm | 163.3 cm | Falling ↘ |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 171.5 cm | 158.5 cm | Rising ↗ |
| 🌍 Global Avg | 171.0 cm | 159.5 cm | -- |