Average Height in Russia (2026 Data)
The average height in Russia is approximately 5'9" (176 cm) for men and 5'5" (165 cm) for women, based on Russian national health examination surveys and NCD-RisC data. Russia ranks above the global average.
Average Height in Russia: Men and Women
Adult height in Russia 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 176 cm (5'9"); for women, about 165 cm (5'5"). 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 Russia. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Russia
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 178 cm (5'10") | 166 cm (5'5") |
| 26–35 | 177 cm (5'10") | 166 cm (5'5") |
| 36–50 | 176 cm (5'9") | 165 cm (5'5") |
| 50+ | 175 cm (5'9") | 164 cm (5'5") |
Age-group estimates derived from Russian national health examination surveys and NCD-RisC data. Younger cohorts typically measure slightly taller than older groups due to secular height trends.
How Russia 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, Russia men are 5 cm taller and women are 6 cm taller.
The United States averages about 175 cm (5'9") for men and 162 cm (5'4") for women (CDC/NHANES). Russia men are 1 cm taller than US men on average; Russia women are 3 cm taller than US women.
Russia's position relative to global and US averages reflects its combination of Slavic genetics, uneven regional nutrition during Soviet era, improving post-1990 conditions.
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. Russia's average stature is shaped by Slavic genetics, uneven regional nutrition during Soviet era, improving post-1990 conditions.
Younger Russian cohorts are taller than those who grew up during economic hardship in the 1990s.
Comparing your personal height to Russia'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 Russia's national distribution.
Data source: Russian national health examination surveys and NCD-RisC data. For US percentile comparisons, see our methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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