Czechs Among World’s Tallest People

The study analyses average heights in nearly 200 countries across the world, and also compares them with heights from more than 100 years ago.

There have been some big swings in that regard. In 1914, American men measured the third tallest, and women the fourth tallest. In 2014 figures, they rank 37th and 42nd, respectively.

Today, the Netherlands claim the title of world’s tallest men, with an average height of 182.5cm. Latvian women rank at the top with 179.8cm.

Czech men rank among the top 10 tallest, sliding in at number 10 with an average height of 180.1cm. 

That’s a pretty big jump; in 1914, Czech men ranked as the 24th tallest at 168cm.

Czech women, meanwhile, have surged even higher than their male counterparts, with an average height of 168.5cm. That makes them the fourth-tallest women in the world.

Since 1914, Czech women have grown nearly 14cm – 2cm more than the average man. A century ago, they ranked as the world’s 69th tallest with an average height of 152.8cm.

What does the data mean, besides bragging rights?

“Being taller is associated with enhanced longevity, lower risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and higher risk of some cancers,” the study begins.

“There is also evidence that taller people on average have higher education, earnings, and possibly even social position.”