According to 2026 estimates, adult men in North Korea are 171.2 cm (5′7″) tall on average and women 158 cm (5′2″). North Korea ranks #99 of 200 countries for men's height and #126 for women's. The world average is 169 cm (5′7″) for men and 156.7 cm (5′2″) for women.
171.2 cm (5′7″)
Men · #99/200
158 cm (5′2″)
Women · #126/200
20,629,121
Adults
| Sex | Average | Std. deviation | Adults | Country rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 171.2 cm (5′7″) | 7.5 cm | 10,113,066 | #99 / 200 |
| Women | 158 cm (5′2″) | 7 cm | 10,516,055 | #126 / 200 |
Values are cohort-weighted averages for adults aged 18+, derived from NCD-RisC 2020 and UN population estimates; they do not reflect regional differences within a country. Details: methodology and sources.
Figures in the news are often averages for 19-year-olds: in North Korea, the generation that turned 19 in 2019 averages 174.7 cm for men and 161.2 cm for women. This page covers all adults (18+); older generations are shorter and people lose a little height with age, so the average is lower.
The table shows what share of adults of the same sex in North Korea are shorter than a given height. Get your own country and world rank: Calculate your height →
| Height | Share of men shorter | Share of women shorter |
|---|---|---|
| 150 cm (4′11″) | 0.2% | 12.6% |
| 155 cm (5′1″) | 2% | 33% |
| 160 cm (5′3″) | 7% | 61% |
| 165 cm (5′5″) | 21% | 84% |
| 170 cm (5′7″) | 44% | 96% |
| 175 cm (5′9″) | 70% | 99% |
| 180 cm (5′11″) | 88% | 100% |
| 185 cm (6′1″) | 97% | 100% |
| 190 cm (6′3″) | 99% | 100% |
| 195 cm (6′5″) | 100% | 100% |
| 200 cm (6′7″) | 100% | 100% |
Adult men in North Korea weigh 70.1 kg (155 lb) on average and women 62 kg (137 lb); among 199 countries that is rank #135 for men and #158 for women. Weight is not a measure of health; this is only a statistical comparison.
Average BMI: 23.8 for men and 24.7 kg/m² for women.
| Sex | Average | Std. deviation | Country rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 70.1 kg (155 lb) | 14.7 kg | #135 / 199 |
| Women | 62 kg (137 lb) | 13.8 kg | #158 / 199 |
The table shows what share of adults of the same sex in North Korea are lighter than a given weight. Calculate your weight →
| Weight | Share of men lighter | Share of women lighter |
|---|---|---|
| 50 kg (110 lb) | 6% | 19% |
| 60 kg (132 lb) | 26% | 48% |
| 70 kg (154 lb) | 54% | 75% |
| 80 kg (176 lb) | 77% | 90% |
| 90 kg (198 lb) | 90% | 96% |
| 100 kg (220 lb) | 97% | 99% |
| 110 kg (243 lb) | 99% | 100% |
| 120 kg (265 lb) | 100% | 100% |
Other categories computed the same way: median age, median income, sleep, screen time and an estimated shoe size derived from height. Each link computes your country and world rank with that value.
| Measure | Value | Country rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age (18+) all countries → | 46.3 years | #84 / 237 | Calculate → |
| Estimated shoe size (men / women) | EU 42.0 / 38.2 | Calculate → |
Income from World Bank PIP (PPP), age from UN population estimates, sleep from Sea Hero Quest self-reports, screen time from the GWI/DataReportal average; shoe size is an estimate derived from the height distribution. Details: methodology.