Average Height in Yemen (2026 Data)
The average height in Yemen is approximately 5'5" (164 cm) for men and 5'0" (153 cm) for women, based on NCD-RisC pooled height estimates.
Average Height in Yemen: Men and Women
Adult height in Yemen reflects decades of genetics, childhood nutrition, healthcare access, and living conditions. The most recent pooled international estimates provide the best available figures for current average stature among adults.
For men, the population mean is about 164 cm (5'5"); for women, about 153 cm (5'0"). 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 Yemen. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Yemen
| Age Group | Men (cm / ft-in) | Women (cm / ft-in) |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 166 cm (5'5") | 154 cm (5'1") |
| 26–35 | 165 cm (5'5") | 154 cm (5'1") |
| 36–50 | 164 cm (5'5") | 153 cm (5'0") |
| 50+ | 163 cm (5'4") | 152 cm (5'0") |
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 Yemen 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, Yemen men are 7 cm shorter than the global male mean and women are 6 cm shorter 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). Yemen men are 11 cm shorter than US men on average; Yemen women are 9 cm shorter than US women.
Yemeni men average well below Gulf neighbors such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
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. Yemen's averages reflect Arabian Peninsula genetics under severe nutrition and conflict-related health constraints. Childhood stunting rates remain among the world's highest.
Conflict has stalled or reversed expected secular height gains.
Comparing your personal height to Yemen'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 Yemen'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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