Average Height in China (2026 Data)
The average height in China is approximately 5'7" (170 cm) for men and 5'2" (158 cm) for women, based on Chinese CDC national health surveys and NCD-RisC data. China ranks near the global average, with rapid recent gains.
Average Height in China: Men and Women
Adult height in China 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 170 cm (5'7"); for women, about 158 cm (5'2"). 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 China. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in China
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 172 cm (5'8") | 159 cm (5'3") |
| 26–35 | 171 cm (5'7") | 159 cm (5'3") |
| 36–50 | 170 cm (5'7") | 158 cm (5'2") |
| 50+ | 169 cm (5'7") | 157 cm (5'2") |
Age-group estimates derived from Chinese CDC national health surveys and NCD-RisC data. Younger cohorts typically measure slightly taller than older groups due to secular height trends.
How China 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, China men are 1 cm shorter and women are 1 cm shorter.
The United States averages about 175 cm (5'9") for men and 162 cm (5'4") for women (CDC/NHANES). China men are 5 cm shorter than US men on average; China women are 4 cm shorter than US women.
China's position relative to global and US averages reflects its combination of improved childhood nutrition since economic reforms, urban-rural differences, and Han-majority genetics.
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. China's average stature is shaped by improved childhood nutrition since economic reforms, urban-rural differences, and Han-majority genetics.
Chinese born after 1990 are notably taller than previous generations—a dramatic secular trend.
Comparing your personal height to China'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 China's national distribution.
Data source: Chinese CDC national health surveys and NCD-RisC data. For US percentile comparisons, see our methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare Your Height to US Percentiles
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