Average Height in Somalia (2026 Data)
The average height in Somalia is approximately 5'7" (170 cm) for men and 5'3" (160 cm) for women, based on NCD-RisC pooled height estimates.
Average Height in Somalia: Men and Women
Adult height in Somalia 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 170 cm (5'7"); 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 Somalia. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Somalia
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 172 cm (5'8") | 161 cm (5'3") |
| 26–35 | 171 cm (5'7") | 161 cm (5'3") |
| 36–50 | 170 cm (5'7") | 160 cm (5'3") |
| 50+ | 169 cm (5'7") | 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 Somalia 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, Somalia men are 1 cm shorter 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). Somalia men are 5 cm shorter than US men on average; Somalia women are 2 cm shorter than US women.
Somalia's Cushitic populations are often relatively tall; conflict has complicated recent survey coverage.
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. Somalia's Cushitic populations are often relatively tall; conflict has complicated recent survey coverage.
Like most populations, Somalia has seen height changes across generations as nutrition, sanitation, and healthcare evolved.
Comparing your personal height to Somalia'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 Somalia'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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