Average Height in Brazil (2026 Data)
The average height in Brazil is approximately 5'7" (171 cm) for men and 5'3" (159 cm) for women, based on IBGE National Health Survey. Brazil ranks close to the global average.
Average Height in Brazil: Men and Women
Adult height in Brazil reflects decades of genetics, childhood nutrition, healthcare access, and living conditions. The most recent national health surveys provide the best estimates for current average stature among adults.
For men, the population mean is about 171 cm (5'7"); for women, about 159 cm (5'3"). 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 Brazil. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Brazil
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 173 cm (5'8") | 160 cm (5'3") |
| 26–35 | 172 cm (5'8") | 160 cm (5'3") |
| 36–50 | 171 cm (5'7") | 159 cm (5'3") |
| 50+ | 170 cm (5'7") | 158 cm (5'2") |
Age-group estimates derived from IBGE National Health Survey (PNS) and WHO STEPwise data. Younger cohorts typically measure slightly taller than older groups due to secular height trends.
How Brazil 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 covering hundreds of population studies. Compared to this, Brazil men are 0 cm taller and women are 0 cm taller.
The United States averages about 175 cm (5'9") for men and 162 cm (5'4") for women (CDC/NHANES). Brazil men are 4 cm shorter than US men on average; Brazil women are 3 cm shorter than US women.
Brazil's position relative to global and US averages reflects its combination of mixed European, African, and Indigenous ancestry with income-based nutrition disparities.
Why Heights Differ: Genetics, Nutrition, and Trends
Height is roughly 80% genetic and 20% environmental, but those environmental factors—especially nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life—matter enormously at the population level. Brazil's average stature is shaped by mixed European, African, and Indigenous ancestry with income-based nutrition disparities.
Heights have increased as poverty fell, though inequality still affects childhood growth in some regions.
Comparing your personal height to Brazil'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 Brazil's national distribution.
Data source: IBGE National Health Survey (PNS) and WHO STEPwise data. For US percentile comparisons, see our methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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