Short answer: in North Korea, women who are 159 cm (5′3″) weigh 138 lb (63 kg) on average (median 135 lb). The middle half weigh 118–155 lb (54–70 kg).
138 lb (63 kg)
average weight
118–155 lb (54–70 kg)
middle 50%
159 cm
taller than 56% of women in North Korea
| Percentile | Weight |
|---|---|
| P10 | 104 lb (47 kg) |
| P25 | 118 lb (54 kg) |
| P50 | 135 lb (61 kg) |
| P75 | 155 lb (70 kg) |
| P90 | 175 lb (79 kg) |
Percentile: the share of women at this height who weigh less. The 90th percentile, for example, is where the heaviest 10% begin.
The World Health Organization's normal BMI range (18.5–24.9) works out to 103–139 lb (47–63 kg) at 159 cm (5′3″). About 46% of women this tall in North Korea fall in that range and 45% above it. It's a reference range, not a personal "ideal weight": it ignores muscle, age and build.
| Average weight | Middle 50% | |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 167 lb (76 kg) | 136–192 lb (62–87 kg) |
| Brazil | 158 lb (72 kg) | 134–178 lb (61–81 kg) |
| Pakistan | 148 lb (67 kg) | 123–169 lb (56–77 kg) |
| Indonesia | 141 lb (64 kg) | 121–158 lb (55–72 kg) |
| Nigeria | 137 lb (62 kg) | 116–155 lb (52–70 kg) |
| China | 134 lb (61 kg) | 119–147 lb (54–67 kg) |
| Bangladesh | 133 lb (60 kg) | 115–148 lb (52–67 kg) |
| India | 131 lb (59 kg) | 112–147 lb (51–67 kg) |
How much do 159 cm (5′3″) men weigh? →
Is 5′3″ tall in North Korea? →
Average height in North Korea →
Statistics, not a health assessment. Weight at a given height is the country's BMI distribution × height², assuming BMI doesn't depend on height. Details: methodology and sources.