Average Height in Zimbabwe (2026 Data)
The average height in Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe: Men and Women
Adult height in Zimbabwe 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 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 Zimbabwe. The averages below describe the national picture; individual heights span a wide range above and below these means.
Average Height by Age Group in Zimbabwe
| 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 Zimbabwe 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, Zimbabwe 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). Zimbabwe men are 5 cm shorter than US men on average; Zimbabwe women are 2 cm shorter than US women.
Zimbabwean averages sit near Kenya and above several West African national means for women.
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. Zimbabwe's Bantu-majority population shows regional variation, with some groups historically taller. Economic stress has affected childhood nutrition for parts of recent cohorts.
Height trends have been uneven amid economic and food-security challenges.
Comparing your personal height to Zimbabwe'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 Zimbabwe'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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