Average Height in China? Latest Stats by Age & Gender

China is an extraordinarily diverse nation, with a landscape that ranges from vast to a rich cultural history.

For travelers, students, and enthusiasts learning about its traditions and history, knowing a bit about the physical characteristics of the population provides a fascinating perspective on the country’s development. One such area is the average height in China.

In this post, we’ll look at how that average height in China stacks up against the rest of the world, what influences it, and the change over time.

Average Height Differences by Age Group in China 2022

Average height in China has changed a lot throughout the years due to factors like nutrition, healthcare, and the quality of life.

The average height of the Chinese population used to be significantly lower than that of Western populations (such as American populations), but that has been changing over the last few generations.

Recent surveys indicate 19-year-old males in China average 5 feet 9 inches (175.7 cm) in height, and females average about 5 feet 4 inches (163.5 cm).

These numbers are by no means absolute across the board, as height differences will always be present region by region, and based on age group, as well as ethnic communities.

Here’s the average height for adult men and women in China in 2022:

Here is the list of average heights of children of different genders in China in 2022:

Here is the list of average heights of elderly people in China by gender in 2022:

Source: The Fifth National Physical Fitness Monitoring Bulletin of the General Administration of Sport of China (Data as of June 7, 2022).

Average Height Comparison: China vs. Other Countries

As of 2025, the average height for men between the ages of 18-25 in China is 176 cm (5 feet 9 inches), and 163 cm (5 feet 4 inches) for women.

In global comparison, the average height of people in China is just below average, especially when compared to say the Netherlands or Denmark, countries that boast some of the highest averages on earth.

However, compared to most other Asian countries, China’s average height isn’t that short. For instance, many countries in Southeast Asia have lower average heights so it pushes the China average up above it’s neighbors a bit.

Moreover, the average height in China is going up in every generation. Younger generations in China (most notably those born in the 1990s and later) are usually much taller than their elders, representing the strides made in quality of life, diet, and living standards.

Here is a chart comparing the average height of the Chinese with other countries:

Data source: https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/average-height-by-country#title.

Factors Affecting Height in China

Now that we have a clearer understanding of the average height in China and how it differs from other countries, it's worth asking — why do these differences exist?

Let's take a closer look at the key factors influencing height in China, from the food on the table to broader social trends.

1. Nutrition

Nutrition is one of the primary factors leading to increased height, particularly during childhood and adolescence. In the last few decades, as the standard of living significantly increased across the board, more people were able to eat better in China.

A diet centered around protein, dairy, and vitamins has been instrumental in the children’s physical growth.

2. Healthcare

Better healthcare has increased the number of kids with access to appropriate healthcare, reducing the number of kids who become malnourished and experience stunted growth.

3. Genetics

Granted, genetics are the biggest factor when it comes to height.

The general genetic makeup of a population, including the influence of historical migration patterns and ancestral backgrounds, contributes to the typical height seen in various regions.

4. Urbanization

But as China has urbanized, the influx of people moving from the country to the city has led to changes in lifestyles.

Those living in cities tend to have more access to healthcare, education, and nutritious food, leading to an overall rise in the average height over the years, especially in the newer generations.

5. Economic Growth

Over the past few decades, the fast-paced economic growth of China has had a profound effect on its quality of life. This includes dietary improvements, access to better food, as well as the availability of vitamins and supplements that enhance physical growth.

FAQ

1. Do Chinese parents take special measures to help their kids grow taller?

Some do. Strategies range from ensuring kids eat well, exercise, and get good sleep to serving them milk to make them grow taller.

2. Do schools in China track student height?

Yes. Most schools do physicals once a year and will also check your height and weight to see how you are growing.

3. What’s the tallest ethnic group in China?

Studies have shown that some ethnic minorities in northwestern China, such as the Uyghurs and Kazakhs, are actually taller on average than the ethnic Han.

4. What’s the tallest region in China on average?

Provinces in northeastern China, such as Liaoning and Heilongjiang, often report taller average heights.

Conclusion

The average height in China, in short, is a result of genetics, nutrition, and region.

Although there is some variation by region, as well as by ethnic groups, the increasing quality of the medical field, dietary habits, and general living conditions have resulted in a general upward trend over the decades.

Going forward, due to the further modernization of China, one can reasonably assume that future generations of Chinese will grow even bigger — both physically and metaphorically.