Where Do the Shortest People in the World Live?
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Height is often seen as a marker of health, genetics, and even attractiveness. But did you know that some countries are home to populations with the shortest average statures in the world? Factors like heredity, nutrition, lifestyle, and even environment shape the physical features of communities across the globe. According to the latest World Population Review report, here are the countries where people are the shortest on average.
This Southeast Asian country tops the list. Timor-Leste’s consistently low height averages are mainly attributed to genetic traits and widespread nutritional deficiencies.
2. Laos: Genetics at Play
Neighbouring Timor-Leste, Laos also reports very short average statures. Here, genetic factors are considered the primary cause.
A Melanesian island nation, Solomon Islands has traditionally relied on a subsistence lifestyle, which may contribute to the shorter builds of its people.
4. Papua New Guinea: Culture Meets Geography
With a similar profile to Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea’s challenging terrain and local food habits also play a part in shaping average heights.
5. Mozambique: A Coastal Nation with Height Challenges
Despite being a tropical country, Mozambique struggles with health infrastructure and malnutrition, which reflect in the shorter stature of its people.
6. Guatemala: Indigenous Genetics at Work
In this Central American country, the largely Indigenous Mayan population has some of the shortest heights globally, a result of both heritage and socio-economic factors.
7. Nepal: Mountainous Terrain, Modest Heights
Tucked in the Himalayas, Nepal’s agricultural limitations and genetic makeup contribute to the shorter average stature of its people.
8. Yemen: Struggles That Stunt Growth
Economic hardships, political instability, and widespread food insecurity have had a direct impact on physical development in Yemen.
9. Bangladesh: Urban Growth, Historic Deficiencies
Though rapidly urbanising, Bangladesh still feels the impact of past nutritional gaps, especially in rural regions.
10. Madagascar: A Unique Mix of Heritage and Environment
Madagascar’s population reflects a blend of African and Asian ancestries, with environmental and dietary influences also shaping stature.
What About India?
India doesn’t feature in the top 10 shortest countries but stands at the 21st position globally.
Though not the shortest, Indians have an average height slightly below the global norm due to factors such as nutrition, genetics, and lifestyle.
From Southeast Asia to Central America and Africa, the shortest populations in the world highlight how deeply our environment, diet, and ancestry shape us. While height might be a physical trait, it often carries a deeper story about culture, history, and living conditions.
1. Timor-Leste: Home to the Shortest People on Earth
- Average male height : 160 cm (5 ft 3 in)
- Average female height : 153 cm (5 ft)
This Southeast Asian country tops the list. Timor-Leste’s consistently low height averages are mainly attributed to genetic traits and widespread nutritional deficiencies.
2. Laos: Genetics at Play
- Average male height: 163 cm (5 ft 4 in)
- Average female height: 153 cm (5 ft)
Neighbouring Timor-Leste, Laos also reports very short average statures. Here, genetic factors are considered the primary cause.
3. Solomon Islands: Island Life Impact
- Average male height: 163 cm (5 ft 4 in)
- Average female height: 157 cm (5 ft 2 in)
A Melanesian island nation, Solomon Islands has traditionally relied on a subsistence lifestyle, which may contribute to the shorter builds of its people.
4. Papua New Guinea: Culture Meets Geography
- Average male height: 163 cm (5 ft 4 in)
- Average female height: 157 cm (5 ft 2 in)
With a similar profile to Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea’s challenging terrain and local food habits also play a part in shaping average heights.
5. Mozambique: A Coastal Nation with Height Challenges
- Average male height: 164 cm (5 ft 5 in)
- Average female height: 155 cm (5 ft 1 in)
Despite being a tropical country, Mozambique struggles with health infrastructure and malnutrition, which reflect in the shorter stature of its people.
6. Guatemala: Indigenous Genetics at Work
- Average male height: 164 cm (5 ft 5 in)
- Average female height: 151 cm (4 ft 11 in)
In this Central American country, the largely Indigenous Mayan population has some of the shortest heights globally, a result of both heritage and socio-economic factors.
7. Nepal: Mountainous Terrain, Modest Heights
- Average male height: 164 cm (5 ft 5 in)
- Average female height: 152 cm (5 ft)
Tucked in the Himalayas, Nepal’s agricultural limitations and genetic makeup contribute to the shorter average stature of its people.
8. Yemen: Struggles That Stunt Growth
- Average male height: 164 cm (5 ft 5 in)
- Average female height: 155 cm (5 ft 1 in)
Economic hardships, political instability, and widespread food insecurity have had a direct impact on physical development in Yemen.
9. Bangladesh: Urban Growth, Historic Deficiencies
- Average male height: 165 cm (5 ft 5 in)
- Average female height: 152 cm (5 ft)
Though rapidly urbanising, Bangladesh still feels the impact of past nutritional gaps, especially in rural regions.
10. Madagascar: A Unique Mix of Heritage and Environment
- Average male height: 165 cm (5 ft 5 in)
- Average female height: 153 cm (5 ft)
Madagascar’s population reflects a blend of African and Asian ancestries, with environmental and dietary influences also shaping stature.
What About India?
India doesn’t feature in the top 10 shortest countries but stands at the 21st position globally.
- Average male height: 5 ft 6 in
- Average female height: 5 ft 1 in
Though not the shortest, Indians have an average height slightly below the global norm due to factors such as nutrition, genetics, and lifestyle.
From Southeast Asia to Central America and Africa, the shortest populations in the world highlight how deeply our environment, diet, and ancestry shape us. While height might be a physical trait, it often carries a deeper story about culture, history, and living conditions.
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