According to 2026 estimates, adult men in South Africa are 168.8 cm (5′6″) tall on average and women 158.1 cm (5′2″). South Africa ranks #143 of 200 countries for men's height and #120 for women's. The world average is 169 cm (5′7″) for men and 156.7 cm (5′2″) for women.
168.8 cm (5′6″)
Men · #143/200
158.1 cm (5′2″)
Women · #120/200
45,433,116
Adults
| Sex | Average | Std. deviation | Adults | Country rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 168.8 cm (5′6″) | 7.2 cm | 21,772,401 | #143 / 200 |
| Women | 158.1 cm (5′2″) | 6.7 cm | 23,660,715 | #120 / 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 South Africa, the generation that turned 19 in 2019 averages 169.6 cm for men and 158.6 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 South Africa 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″) | 0.4% | 11.3% |
| 155 cm (5′1″) | 3% | 32% |
| 160 cm (5′3″) | 11% | 61% |
| 165 cm (5′5″) | 30% | 85% |
| 170 cm (5′7″) | 57% | 96% |
| 175 cm (5′9″) | 81% | 99% |
| 180 cm (5′11″) | 94% | 100% |
| 185 cm (6′1″) | 99% | 100% |
| 190 cm (6′3″) | 100% | 100% |
| 195 cm (6′5″) | 100% | 100% |
| 200 cm (6′7″) | 100% | 100% |
Adult men in South Africa weigh 68.8 kg (152 lb) on average and women 76.2 kg (168 lb); among 199 countries that is rank #142 for men and #33 for women. Weight is not a measure of health; this is only a statistical comparison.
Average BMI: 24.1 for men and 30.4 kg/m² for women.
| Sex | Average | Std. deviation | Country rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 68.8 kg (152 lb) | 15.3 kg | #142 / 199 |
| Women | 76.2 kg (168 lb) | 20.7 kg | #33 / 199 |
The table shows what share of adults of the same sex in South Africa are lighter than a given weight. Calculate your weight →
| Weight | Share of men lighter | Share of women lighter |
|---|---|---|
| 50 kg (110 lb) | 9% | 7% |
| 60 kg (132 lb) | 30% | 22% |
| 70 kg (154 lb) | 57% | 43% |
| 80 kg (176 lb) | 79% | 62% |
| 90 kg (198 lb) | 91% | 78% |
| 100 kg (220 lb) | 96% | 88% |
| 110 kg (243 lb) | 99% | 93% |
| 120 kg (265 lb) | 100% | 97% |
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 → | 38.9 years | #153 / 237 | Calculate → |
| Median income (per person, yearly) all countries → | ZAR 24,752 ≈ 2,589 PPP $ | #112 / 168 | Calculate → |
| Average sleep (per night) all countries → | 6.9 hours | #42 / 63 | Calculate → |
| Daily screen (internet) time all countries → | 9.4 hours 5.3 hours on mobile | #1 / 49 | Calculate → |
| Estimated shoe size (men / women) | EU 41.5 / 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.