Average Height in Saudi Arabia (2026 Data)
The average height in Saudi Arabia is approximately 5'9" (174 cm) for men and 5'3" (159 cm) for women, based on NCD-RisC pooled estimates and Saudi Health Interview Survey data. Saudi Arabia ranks above the global average and near the US average.
Average Height in Saudi Arabia: Men and Women
Adult height in Saudi Arabia 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 174 cm (5'9"); for women, about 159 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 Saudi Arabia. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Saudi Arabia
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 176 cm (5'9") | 160 cm (5'3") |
| 26–35 | 175 cm (5'9") | 160 cm (5'3") |
| 36–50 | 174 cm (5'9") | 159 cm (5'3") |
| 50+ | 173 cm (5'8") | 158 cm (5'2") |
Age-group estimates derived from NCD-RisC pooled estimates and Saudi Health Interview Survey data. Younger cohorts typically measure slightly taller than older groups due to secular height trends.
How Saudi Arabia 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, Saudi men are 3 cm taller and women match the global average.
The United States averages about 175 cm (5'9") for men and 162 cm (5'4") for women (CDC/NHANES). Saudi men are 1 cm shorter than US men on average; Saudi women are 3 cm shorter than US women.
Saudi Arabia's position above the global average reflects Arabian Peninsula genetics combined with rapid modernization and dramatically improved nutrition over recent decades, producing substantial height gains particularly among younger cohorts.
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. Saudi Arabia's average stature is shaped by Arabian Peninsula genetics and a transformation in nutrition and healthcare that accompanied rapid modernization since the oil boom of the 1970s.
Saudi Arabia has experienced some of the largest height gains in the Middle East over recent decades. The shift from traditional subsistence diets to calorie-rich, protein-abundant modern diets—combined with universal healthcare access—has driven significant generational height increases.
Comparing your personal height to Saudi Arabia'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 Saudi Arabia's national distribution.
Data source: NCD-RisC pooled estimates and Saudi Health Interview Survey data. For US percentile comparisons, see our methodology page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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