Average Height in Kuwait (2026 Data)
The average height in Kuwait is approximately 5'9" (174 cm) for men and 5'3" (160 cm) for women, based on NCD-RisC pooled height estimates.
Average Height in Kuwait: Men and Women
Adult height in Kuwait reflects decades of genetics, childhood nutrition, healthcare access, and living conditions. The most recent pooled international estimates provide the best available figures for current average stature among adults.
For men, the population mean is about 174 cm (5'9"); for women, about 160 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 Kuwait. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Kuwait
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 176 cm (5'9") | 161 cm (5'3") |
| 26–35 | 175 cm (5'9") | 161 cm (5'3") |
| 36–50 | 174 cm (5'9") | 160 cm (5'3") |
| 50+ | 173 cm (5'8") | 159 cm (5'3") |
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 Kuwait 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, Kuwait men are 3 cm taller than the global male mean and women are 1 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). Kuwait men are 1 cm shorter than US men on average; Kuwait women are 2 cm shorter than US women.
Kuwait sits near other Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE for male height.
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. Kuwait's Gulf Arab genetics and rapid post-oil modernization lifted childhood nutrition dramatically. Large expatriate communities mean survey averages can vary by sampling frame.
Native Kuwaiti cohorts grew taller across the late 20th century as living standards rose.
Comparing your personal height to Kuwait'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 Kuwait'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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