Average Height in Afghanistan (2026 Data)
The average height in Afghanistan is approximately 5'6" (168 cm) for men and 5'1" (155 cm) for women, based on NCD-RisC pooled height estimates.
Average Height in Afghanistan: Men and Women
Adult height in Afghanistan reflects genetics, childhood nutrition, healthcare access, and living conditions. Pooled international estimates provide the best available figures for current average adult stature.
For men, the population mean is about 168 cm (5'6"); for women, about 155 cm (5'1"). These figures represent adults aged 18 and older and are typically measured barefoot in health surveys.
Height varies by region, ethnicity, and birth cohort within Afghanistan. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Afghanistan
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 170 cm (5'7") | 156 cm (5'1") |
| 26–35 | 169 cm (5'7") | 156 cm (5'1") |
| 36–50 | 168 cm (5'6") | 155 cm (5'1") |
| 50+ | 167 cm (5'6") | 154 cm (5'1") |
Age-group estimates derived from NCD-RisC pooled height estimates. Younger cohorts typically measure slightly taller than older groups due to secular height trends.
How Afghanistan Compares to the World and the US
Globally, the approximate mean adult height is about 171 cm (5'7") for men and 159 cm (5'2.5") for women, based on NCD-RisC pooled estimates. Compared to this, Afghanistan men are 3 cm shorter than the global male mean and women are 4 cm shorter than the global female mean.
The United States averages about 175 cm (5'9") for men and 162 cm (5'4") for women (CDC/NHANES). Afghanistan men are 7 cm shorter than US men on average; Afghanistan women are 7 cm shorter than US women.
Afghanistan's average adult height reflects regional genetics, childhood nutrition, and living standards, based on pooled international estimates.
Why Heights Differ: Genetics, Nutrition, and Trends
Height is roughly 80% genetic and 20% environmental, but nutrition in the first years of life matters enormously at the population level. Afghanistan's average adult height reflects regional genetics, childhood nutrition, and living standards, based on pooled international estimates.
Like most populations, Afghanistan has seen height changes across generations as nutrition, sanitation, and healthcare evolved.
Comparing your personal height to Afghanistan's average is informative, but percentile rankings depend on which reference population you use. Our calculator compares against US CDC/NHANES data, which may differ from Afghanistan's national distribution.
Data source: NCD-RisC pooled height estimates. For US percentile comparisons, see our methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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