Average Height in Tuvalu (2026 Data)
The average height in Tuvalu is approximately 5'7" (169 cm) for men and 5'3" (159 cm) for women, based on NCD-RisC pooled height estimates.
Average Height in Tuvalu: Men and Women
Adult height in Tuvalu 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 169 cm (5'7"); 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 Tuvalu. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Tuvalu
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 171 cm (5'7") | 160 cm (5'3") |
| 26–35 | 170 cm (5'7") | 160 cm (5'3") |
| 36–50 | 169 cm (5'7") | 159 cm (5'3") |
| 50+ | 168 cm (5'6") | 158 cm (5'2") |
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 Tuvalu 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, Tuvalu men are 2 cm shorter than the global male mean and women are about the same height as the global female mean.
The United States averages about 175 cm (5'9") for men and 162 cm (5'4") for women (CDC/NHANES). Tuvalu men are 6 cm shorter than US men on average; Tuvalu women are 3 cm shorter than US women.
Tuvalu's Polynesian atoll population averages near Kiribati and Samoa's shorter neighbors.
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. Tuvalu's Polynesian atoll population averages near Kiribati and Samoa's shorter neighbors.
Like most populations, Tuvalu has seen height changes across generations as nutrition, sanitation, and healthcare evolved.
Comparing your personal height to Tuvalu'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 Tuvalu'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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