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The Shortest and Tallest People in the World

Updated: Nov 28, 2023


The tallest man in the world - Sultan Kosen

The varying heights of people have always been a subject of curiosity and discussion. The human body is born and grows under the influence of genetics, environmental factors, and other variables, resulting in a wide range of sizes. However, some individuals are born with significantly different height proportions compared to others, and the world's shortest and tallest people draw attention with these unique physical attributes. In this article, we will delve into the topic of "The Shortest and Tallest People in The World" and discover that height is not just a number but also an intriguing aspect of the human experience.


Certainly, when it comes to the world's shortest and tallest people, there are indeed numerous notable individuals. However, if we prioritize mentioning the first two people, the world's shortest person with a height of 54.6cm is Chandra Bahadur Dangi, and the tallest person with a height of 2.72cm was Robert Wadlow. As for the tallest person currently living today, Sultan Kösen stands out with a height of 2.51cm, capturing everyone's attention and Jyoti Amge, with a height of 62.8cm, is currently the shortest living person in the world.


10 Shortest People in The World

When it comes to the world's shortest individuals, this can be explained by a genetic growth disorder known as dwarfism. Dwarfism is the result of a set of genetic factors that affect the normal growth process of the body. These factors may include a deficiency or ineffectiveness of growth hormone, thyroid disorders, and disruptions in the normal development of bones and body tissues, among others. In the following part of our article, you can find more details about the world's 10 shortest individuals.


  1. Chandra Bahadur Dangi: Chandra Bahadur Dangi, born on November 30, 1939, in Nepal, was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's shortest man with a height of 54.6 cm. The primary reason for Chandra Bahadur Dangi's extremely short stature is a genetic growth disorder known as dwarfism.

  2. Gul Mohammed: Gul Mohammed, born on February 15, 1957, in India, was documented by the Guinness World Records in 1997 as the world's shortest man with a height of 57cm. The main reason for his short stature is also attributed to the condition known as dwarfism.

  3. Junrey Balawing: Junrey Balawing, born on June 12, 1993, in the Philippines, was recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2011 as the world's shortest man with a height of 59.93cm. The reason for his short stature is also associated with a similar condition, dwarfism.

  4. Khagendra Thapa Magar: Khagendra Thapa Magar, born on October 14, 1992, in Nepal, was recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2009 as the world's shortest man with a height of 67.08cm.

  5. Pauline Musters: Born in the Netherlands on February 26, 1876, one of the countries known for having one of the tallest average heights in the world, Pauline Musters stood at a height of 58cm, making her one of the shortest women in the world.

  6. Joyce Carpenter: Born in the United Kingdom on May 24, 1932, Joyce Carpenter had a height of 61cm, and in 1980, she was officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's shortest woman.

  7. Lucia Zarate: Born in Mexico on January 22, 1864, Lucia Zarate had a height of 61cm, making her one of the shortest women in the world.

  8. Madge Bester: Born in South Africa on January 26, 1963, Madge Bester stood at a height of 65cm, and in 2016, she was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's shortest woman.

  9. Ella Harper: Born in the United States on January 5, 1873, Ella Harper was notable for her height of 66cm, placing her among the shortest women in the world.

  10. Bridgette Jordan: Born in the United States on July 10, 1989, Bridgette Jordan had a height of 69cm, and in 2011, she was officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's shortest woman.

10 Tallest People in The World

The tallest people in the world have achieved their height for genetic or hormonal reasons. It is not called a disease; However, some have struggled with the health problems that come with this long neck. In the following part of our article, you can find more details about the world's 10 tallest individuals.


  1. Robert Wadlow: The tallest person in the world with 2.72cm is Robert Wadlow. Born in the United States on February 22, 1918, Wadlow has the growth disorder gigantism and is the tallest person recorded in history.

  2. Sultan Kösen: Born in Turkey on December 10, 1982, Sultan Kösen attracts attention with his height of 2.51cm. The reason why Kösen, who was recognized as the world's tallest living person by Guinness World Records in 2011, is tall is due to his excess growth hormone.

  3. John Rogan: John Rogan, born in the United States on February 16, 1868, is the tallest American on record at 2.51cm.

  4. Väinö Myllyrinne: Väinö Myllyrinne, born in Finland on February 27, 1909, is known as the tallest person in Finland with a height of 2.51cm.

  5. Don Koehler: Born in the United States on January 1, 1925, Don Koehler is among the tallest people in America with 2.47cm.

  6. Sandy Allen: Sandy Allen, born in the United States on June 18, 1955, is the tallest woman recorded in history with 2.31 cm.

  7. Zeng Jinlian: Born in China on June 26, 1964, Zeng Jinlian is one of the tallest women recorded in history with a height of 2.48cm.

  8. Brahim Takioullah: Born in Morocco on January 26, 1982, Brahim Takioullah is one of the tallest people still alive today, with a height of 2.46cm.

  9. Malgorzata Dydek: Born in Poland on April 28, 1974, Malgorzata Dydek is one of the tallest women in the world with a height of 2.18cm and is also one of the professional women's basketball players.

  10. Leonid Stadnyk: Born in Ukraine on August 5, 1971, Leonid Stadnyk is one of the tallest people in history with a height of 2.57cm.

3 Countries with The Shortest Average Height in The World

Indonesia

While genetics is the primary determinant of average height, a country's socio-economic level, healthcare services, living conditions, and environmental factors also play significant roles. The inability of the current population to access healthy food sources, lack of access to healthcare services, and living in relatively polluted environments can have a significantly adverse impact on average height and other health factors. In fact, this situation can contribute to changes in average height over the years. The top 3 countries with low average height are as follows:


  1. Indonesia: Indonesia is known to have a low average height. The average height for men is approximately between 165-168 cm, while for women, it's around 150-155 cm. Of course, these average heights can change over the years due to various factors, but based on the data from 2023, expressing the current average heights in this way is accurate.

  2. Philippines: In the Philippines, the average height for men can vary between approximately 163-168 cm, while the average height for women is generally around 150-155 cm. However, these average heights can vary among individuals, and you can access current statistics from the health or statistical authorities in the Philippines.

  3. Guatemala: In Guatemala, the average height for men can vary between approximately 163-167 cm, while the average height for women is generally around 150-155 cm. While there may be individual variations, considering the countries' levels of development when examining these average heights can lead to more accurate conclusions.

3 Countries with The Tallest Average Height in The World

Netherlands

When it comes to average height, these countries can change over the years, primarily due to variations in living conditions. However, looking at the current updated data, we can say that the top 3 countries with the highest average height in the world are the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway. The fact that these countries are known for their high average heights can be attributed to their levels of development.

  1. Netherlands: The Netherlands is generally known as one of the countries with the highest average height in the world. The average height for men is around 183-185 cm, while for women, it's approximately 170-172 cm, which is significantly higher compared to many other countries.

  2. Denmark: Denmark is also one of the countries with a high average height worldwide. The average height for men is between 181-183 cm, and for women, it's around 167-169 cm. When compared to the Netherlands, there is little difference in average height.

  3. Norway: Norway, with genetics and healthcare services, is also among the countries with a high average height. The average height for men is similar to Denmark, ranging from 181-183 cm, while for women, it's around 167-169 cm.

These mentioned average heights represent approximate values, and they can vary over the years.


Height Reduction Surgery

Patient's before-after picture

Height reduction surgery is a surgical procedure performed for individuals who are tall and wish to shorten their height either for aesthetic reasons or due to a medical condition. The main goal of this surgery is to reduce the height without negatively affecting the patient's health. Therefore, before deciding to undergo the surgery, the doctor thoroughly examines the patient and learns about their medical history to determine whether the patient is a suitable candidate for the procedure. Once the patients deemed suitable for the surgery are identified, the doctor and the patient choose a specific date for the surgery. After the surgery, the patient continues the recovery process by undergoing the necessary physical therapy sessions with their physiotherapist.


If you have any questions about height reduction surgery, you can watch our patient video below or get detailed information from our article titled "What is height reduction surgery?" You can also directly contact our patient representatives for any other questions you may have.



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