Average Height in Nigeria (2026 Data)
The average height in Nigeria is approximately 5'5" (164 cm) for men and 5'2" (157 cm) for women, based on Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Nigeria ranks below the global average, taller than many West African neighbors for men.
Average Height in Nigeria: Men and Women
Adult height in Nigeria 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 164 cm (5'5"); for women, about 157 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 Nigeria. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Nigeria
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 166 cm (5'5") | 158 cm (5'2") |
| 26–35 | 165 cm (5'5") | 158 cm (5'2") |
| 36–50 | 164 cm (5'5") | 157 cm (5'2") |
| 50+ | 163 cm (5'4") | 156 cm (5'1") |
Age-group estimates derived from Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and WHO STEPwise data. Younger cohorts typically measure slightly taller than older groups due to secular height trends.
How Nigeria 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, Nigeria men are 7 cm shorter and women are 2 cm shorter.
The United States averages about 175 cm (5'9") for men and 162 cm (5'4") for women (CDC/NHANES). Nigeria men are 11 cm shorter than US men on average; Nigeria women are 5 cm shorter than US women.
Nigeria's position relative to global and US averages reflects its combination of West African genetics, childhood nutrition challenges, and regional ethnic diversity.
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. Nigeria's average stature is shaped by West African genetics, childhood nutrition challenges, and regional ethnic diversity.
Heights are gradually increasing as healthcare and nutrition access improve across Nigeria.
Comparing your personal height to Nigeria'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 Nigeria's national distribution.
Data source: Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) and WHO STEPwise data. For US percentile comparisons, see our methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare Your Height to US Percentiles
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