Average Height in Canada (2026 Data)
The average height in Canada is approximately 5'9" (175 cm) for men and 5'4" (162 cm) for women, based on Statistics Canada Canadian Health Measures Survey. Canada ranks very similar to the United States.
Average Height in Canada: Men and Women
Adult height in Canada 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 175 cm (5'9"); for women, about 162 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 Canada. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Canada
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 177 cm (5'10") | 163 cm (5'4") |
| 26–35 | 176 cm (5'9") | 163 cm (5'4") |
| 36–50 | 175 cm (5'9") | 162 cm (5'4") |
| 50+ | 174 cm (5'9") | 161 cm (5'3") |
Age-group estimates derived from Statistics Canada Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). Younger cohorts typically measure slightly taller than older groups due to secular height trends.
How Canada 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, Canada men are 4 cm taller and women are 3 cm taller.
The United States averages about 175 cm (5'9") for men and 162 cm (5'4") for women (CDC/NHANES). Canada men are 0 cm taller than US men on average; Canada women are 0 cm taller than US women.
Canada's position relative to global and US averages reflects its combination of multicultural population, universal healthcare, and high dairy and protein intake.
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. Canada's average stature is shaped by multicultural population, universal healthcare, and high dairy and protein intake.
Canadian heights track closely with US data, reflecting similar nutrition and living standards.
Comparing your personal height to Canada'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 Canada's national distribution.
Data source: Statistics Canada Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). For US percentile comparisons, see our methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare Your Height to US Percentiles
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