Height is one of the most visible physical traits, and average male heights vary dramatically around the world — from 164 cm in the Philippines to 181 cm in Serbia, Czech Republic, and Poland. If you're taller than average in your home country, that advantage compounds in countries with shorter averages.
We pulled median male height and height standard deviation data for all 29 countries. Here's what the numbers say about where your height gives you the biggest edge.
Average Male Height by Country
Median male height (cm)
Where Being Tall Matters Most
The countries with the shortest average heights are where a taller man stands out the most — literally. Here are the 9 countries with the lowest median male height:
| # | Country | Avg Height | Height SD | COL | Friendliness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philippines | 164 cm | 6.5 | 34/100 | Very High |
| 2 | Indonesia | 166 cm | 6.5 | 34.5/100 | High |
| 3 | Peru | 167 cm | 6.5 | 30.4/100 | High |
| 4 | Vietnam | 169 cm | 6.5 | 31.1/100 | High |
| 5 | Mexico | 170 cm | 7 | 32/100 | Very High |
| 6 | Kenya | 170 cm | 7 | 32/100 | Very High |
| 7 | South Africa | 170 cm | 7 | 44/100 | Moderate |
| 8 | Thailand | 172 cm | 6.5 | 49.3/100 | Very High |
| 9 | Colombia | 172 cm | 6.8 | 27.6/100 | Very High |
In the Philippines (164 cm average), a 5'10" (178 cm) American man is 14 cm above average — roughly 2 standard deviations taller than the median. That puts him taller than approximately 97% of local men.
In Peru (167 cm) and Indonesia (166 cm), the story is similar. The height standard deviation in Southeast Asia and Latin America tends to be tighter (6.5 cm vs 7.0+ cm in Europe), which means the same height gap translates to an even more extreme percentile.
Where Height Won't Help You
In these countries, the average man is already tall. Unless you're well above 6 feet, you won't stand out:
| # | Country | Avg Height | Height SD | COL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Serbia | 181 cm | 7 | 30/100 |
| 2 | Czech Republic | 181 cm | 7 | 47.9/100 |
| 3 | Poland | 181 cm | 7 | 39.7/100 |
| 4 | Germany | 180 cm | 7.2 | 72.5/100 |
| 5 | Canada | 179 cm | 7.4 | 70/100 |
| 6 | France | 179 cm | 7 | 81.5/100 |
| 7 | United Kingdom | 178 cm | 7.1 | 83.3/100 |
| 8 | Romania | 178 cm | 7 | 34.5/100 |
| 9 | Hungary | 177 cm | 7 | 40.9/100 |
In Serbia, Czech Republic, and Poland, the median male height is 181 cm (about 5'11"). A 5'10" man is actually below average there. Your height advantage essentially disappears.
The Standard Deviation Factor
It's not just about the average — the spread matters too. Countries with a tighter standard deviation (like Japan at 5.8 cm or the Philippines at 6.5 cm) mean the population is more clustered around the mean. Being even slightly above average stands out more in these countries versus a country like the US (SD: 7.6 cm) where height varies more.
A 5'10" man is in the 50th percentile in the US but the 90th+ percentile in Vietnam. Same height, very different statistical impact.
How to Calculate Your Exact Percentile
Our Compare Tool calculates your exact height percentile in each country using the real median and standard deviation data. Enter your height once, and see where you rank across all 29 countries — from the most common to the most rare.
If you want to dive deep into a specific country, visit the destination page and use the built-in rarity calculator to see your full statistical breakdown including height, income, and body composition.