Average Height in Colombia (2026 Data)
The average height in Colombia is approximately 5'7" (170 cm) for men and 5'2" (158 cm) for women, based on ENSIN. Colombia ranks near the global average.
Average Height in Colombia: Men and Women
Adult height in Colombia 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 Colombia. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Colombia
| 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 ENSIN (Encuesta Nacional de Situación Nutricional) and WHO data. Younger cohorts typically measure slightly taller than older groups due to secular height trends.
How Colombia 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, Colombia 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). Colombia men are 5 cm shorter than US men on average; Colombia women are 4 cm shorter than US women.
Colombia's position relative to global and US averages reflects its combination of mixed Mestizo, European, and Afro-Colombian ancestry with regional variation.
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. Colombia's average stature is shaped by mixed Mestizo, European, and Afro-Colombian ancestry with regional variation.
Colombian heights have improved as poverty and malnutrition rates declined.
Comparing your personal height to Colombia'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 Colombia's national distribution.
Data source: ENSIN (Encuesta Nacional de Situación Nutricional) and WHO data. For US percentile comparisons, see our methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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