Average Height in Barbados (2026 Data)
The average height in Barbados is approximately 5'9" (175 cm) for men and 5'4" (163 cm) for women, based on NCD-RisC pooled height estimates.
Average Height in Barbados: Men and Women
Adult height in Barbados 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 175 cm (5'9"); for women, about 163 cm (5'4"). 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 Barbados. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Barbados
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 177 cm (5'10") | 164 cm (5'5") |
| 26–35 | 176 cm (5'9") | 164 cm (5'5") |
| 36–50 | 175 cm (5'9") | 163 cm (5'4") |
| 50+ | 174 cm (5'9") | 162 cm (5'4") |
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 Barbados 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, Barbados men are 4 cm taller than the global male mean and women are 4 cm taller 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). Barbados men are about the same height as US men on average; Barbados women are 1 cm taller than US women.
Barbados' Afro-Caribbean population and high living standards rank among the taller Caribbean nations.
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. Barbados' Afro-Caribbean population and high living standards rank among the taller Caribbean nations.
Like most populations, Barbados has seen height changes across generations as nutrition, sanitation, and healthcare evolved.
Comparing your personal height to Barbados'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 Barbados'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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