Average Height in Madagascar (2026 Data)
The average height in Madagascar is approximately 5'5" (165 cm) for men and 5'1" (154 cm) for women, based on NCD-RisC pooled height estimates.
Average Height in Madagascar: Men and Women
Adult height in Madagascar reflects genetics, childhood nutrition, healthcare access, and living conditions. Pooled international estimates provide the best available figures for current average adult stature.
For men, the population mean is about 165 cm (5'5"); for women, about 154 cm (5'1"). 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 Madagascar. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Madagascar
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 167 cm (5'6") | 155 cm (5'1") |
| 26–35 | 166 cm (5'5") | 155 cm (5'1") |
| 36–50 | 165 cm (5'5") | 154 cm (5'1") |
| 50+ | 164 cm (5'5") | 153 cm (5'0") |
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 Madagascar 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, Madagascar men are 6 cm shorter than the global male mean and women are 5 cm shorter 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). Madagascar men are 10 cm shorter than US men on average; Madagascar women are 8 cm shorter than US women.
Madagascar's Austronesian-African ancestry and rural undernutrition keep averages among Africa's shorter profiles.
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. Madagascar's Austronesian-African ancestry and rural undernutrition keep averages among Africa's shorter profiles.
Like most populations, Madagascar has seen height changes across generations as nutrition, sanitation, and healthcare evolved.
Comparing your personal height to Madagascar'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 Madagascar'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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