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The Dutch have a high posture. Photo/Reuters
AMSTERDAM – The average height of people around the world varies greatly from country to country. Many factors affect human height, such as genetics, nutrition, and the environment.
In fact, European countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark have some of the highest populations, with an average height of over 180 cm for men and around 170 cm for women. By contrast, many countries in Asia and Africa have lower average heights, with some countries, such as Nepal and Mozambique, having an average height of under 165 cm for men and 155 cm for women.
However, the average human height can also change over time. Factors that affect height generally include diet, health care, and lifestyle. In fact, understanding the average height by country can provide insight into the health and well-being of a population.
Here are 10 countries producing tall people in the world
1. Holland – 184 cm
Photo/Reuters
The Netherlands is called the land of giants because there are so many tall people. In fact, a report on Dutch military records for a study published by the Royal Society of London found that in the mid-1800s, men in the Netherlands were actually among the shortest people in Europe.
“In 1860, the Dutch military man was about 165 cm tall,” said Professor Louise Barrett of the University of Lethbridge, Canada, a height researcher, reported by the BBC. “At that time men in the US were about 5 cm taller,” he said.
Since then, however, there has been a remarkable reversal of roles: in just 160 years, Dutch men have grown 20cm, soaring past their American counterpart, who grew only 6cm. “That’s too soon to be called a genetic effect,” said Barrett, though he believes natural selection played a role.
