Swedish people used to be known as among the tallest individuals all over the globe. But what is the average height in Sweden these days? If they hold that ranking until now? Let’s find it out.
As some of you might know, Swedish people were once considered the tallest individuals all over the globe. In fact, a lot of studies supposed that Sweden’s average height had stabilized over the years. Even so, the fact is that Swedish folks have kept increasing.
In particular, the rate of increasing height in Sweden is found to be far faster than in any other country in the world. This is applied to both Swedish females and males. Accordingly, this is thanks to the enhanced living standards in this country.
So, what is the average height in Sweden? Are they now still the tallest people all over the world? Let’s make this clear right away.
Key Takeaway
- The average height of Swedish people is 5 feet 7.99 inches (approx. 172.71 cm).
- In particular, Swedish females have an average height of 5 feet 5.23 inches (approx. 165.6 cm). Swedish males, on the other hand, stand 5 feet 10.76 inches (approx. 179.73 cm) on average.
Swedish People Are Getting Taller, But Will They Draw Level With Scandi Neighbors?
As previously mentioned, the average height of Swedish individuals was thought to be stabilized. Having said that, new studies have shown that the average keeps growing taller and taller over the course of time. Accordingly, the research included 4,000 Swedish males and females born in 1990. As a result, it indicated that these people were growing taller than Swedish people who were 16 years old younger than them.
In particular, Swedish males who were born in 1990 had a medium height of 5 feet 11.5 inches (approx. 181.7 cm). When compared to males who were in 1974, these men were 1 cm taller than them. The same increasing level was also implied to Swedish women. Particularly, the average height of Swedish females who were born in 1990 was 5 feet 6.25 inches (approx. 168.3 cm). Accordingly, they were 0.6 cm taller than Swedish females who were born in 1974.
As per many pediatricians, new statistics indicate that the historic increase in height in Sweden keeps going. They are getting taller and taller because of the better quality of life.
In addition to the increased growth of Swedes, a few statistics have even shown that the population in this country tends to shrink. In particular, in 1956, Swedish males had an average height of 5 feet 5.4 inches (approx. 166.1 cm). Swedish females, on the flip side, stood 5 feet 10.9 inches (approx. 180.1 cm) on average. Nevertheless, in 2016, these averages decreased to 5 feet 4.8 inches (approx. 164.6 cm) and 5 feet 10 inches (approx. 177.9 cm), respectively.
Similarly, according to the results from the medical journal eLife, females and males in Sweden used to be the tallest people in the world in 2016. Having said that, they currently rank 17th and 17th, respectively.
As previously mentioned, Swedish people are getting taller over the course of time. Even so, they still have a long road ahead to draw level with their taller Scandi neighbors. According to figures from The Telegraph, Norway and Denmark ranked the 4th and 3rd tallest nations all over the world in 2017. In particular, people in Norway had an average height of 5 feet 11.81 inches (approx. 182.4 cm), while males in Denmark stand 5 feet 11.9 inches (approx. 182.6 cm) on average and continue to grow.
How Tall Are Swedes Compared to Nordic Individuals?
As some of you might know, Swedes are also one of the 5 Nordic nations. Therefore, how tall are Swedish people compared to other individuals in this region? Generally speaking, the average height of both women and men in this area is widely known as among the tallest 20 nations all over the globe.
Particularly, the average height for females in Nordics was 5 feet 5.75 inches (approx. 167 cm), and it was 5 feet 10.86 inches (approx. 180 cm) for males in Nordics. Besides, Finns rank the 11th tallest individuals all over the globe, Norwegians rank 13th, Swedes rank 12th and Icelandic rank 6th.
According to these figures, Nordic individuals rank 2nd tallest people all over the world, followed by the Baltics. For those who don’t know, the Baltics is generally the area having the tallest average height for both females and males all over the world.
Now, take a closer look at how Nordic individuals – both men and women – compare to each other and to the globe in terms of height:
Average Height of Females and Males in the Nordic Nations
| International rank | Nation | Female average height (in feet and inches/cm) | Male average height (in feet and inches/cm) |
| 4th | Denmark | /5 feet 6 inches (approx. 169 cm) | 5 feet 11 ½ inches (approx. 182 cm) |
| 6th | Iceland | 5 feet 6⅛ inches (approx. 168 cm) | 5 feet 11 ¼ inches (approx. 181 cm) |
| 12th | Sweden | 5 feet 5 ¾ inches (approx. 167 cm) | 5 feet 10 ⅞ inches (approx. 180 cm) |
| 13th | Norway | 5 feet 5 ⅜ inches (approx. 166 cm) | 5 feet 10 ⅞ inches (approx. 180 cm) |
| 17th | Finland | 5 feet 5 ⅜ inches (approx. 166 cm) | 5 feet 10 ⅞ inches (approx. 180 cm) |
According to the above table, females, and males in Denmark rank 1st in terms of height among people from other countries in the Nordics. In particular, Danish males have an average height of 5 feet 12 inches (approx. 182 cm), while Danish females stand 5 feet 6 inches (approx. 169 cm) on average. For the rest of the Nordics, men in Iceland rank 2nd with an average height of 5 feet 11.25 inches (approx. 181 cm). On the other hand, men in Finland, Norway, and Sweden reach an average height of 5 feet 10.86 inches (approx. 180 cm).
Simply put:
- The average height of Danish females and males is 5 feet 6 inches (approx. 169 cm) and 5 feet 12 inches (approx. 182 cm), respectively.
- The average height of Iceland females and males is 5 feet 6.12 inches (approx. 168 cm) and 5 feet 11.25 inches (approx. 181 cm), respectively.
- The average height of Swedish females and males is 5 feet 5.75 inches (approx. 167 cm) and 5 feet 10.87 inches (approx. 180 cm), respectively.
- The average height of Norwegian females and males is 5 feet 5.37 inches (approx. 166 cm) and 5 feet 10.87 inches (approx. 180 cm).
- The average height of Finnish females and males is 5 feet 5.37 inches (approx. 166 cm) and 5 feet 10.87 inches (approx. 180 cm), respectively.
Why are Sweden People, In Particular, and Nordic People, In General, So Tall Globally Speaking?
According to various reliable sources, people in European countries tend to grow taller on average mainly because of their overall improved diet, which began in the middle of the 1800s. In addition, the schools in these countries have recently provided students with more nutritious meals.
However, it might be best if you keep in mind that the general human height is widely said to be decided by a combination of different factors, such as diet, genes, etc. Basically, this varies just like other human characteristics.
So, a healthy diet, as a lot of you might all know, has a huge effect on the average height of an individual. Having said that, there are still areas of the world that are thought to have historically been shorter or taller than the average. Some of those regions include towering Dinka individuals of South Sudan or short Pygmee folks living in the center of Africa.
Nevertheless, studies have shown that Dinka individuals have lost most of their towering height. Generally speaking, this is due to malnutrition. In other words, you now should keep in mind that a healthy diet plays an extremely crucial role in deciding a person’s height later in their life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average height in Sweden?
In general, Swedish females stand 5 feet 5.7 inches (approx. 166.9 cm). On the other hand, Swedish males are 5 feet 10.8 inches (approx. 180 cm). This, as a result, makes males in Sweden rank 8th tallest people all over the world.
Why are girls in Sweden so tall?
In fact, not only girls but boys in Sweden are really tall. Generally speaking, they have been getting taller and taller at a far faster level than many other individuals all over the world. According to many sources, this is because Sweden people have a chance to access a better standard of life, increasing their height in general. In particular, the average height of Swedish people is 5 feet 7.99 inches (approx. 172.69 cm).
Are Swedish people taller than Norwegians?
As you might know, Swedish people have a greater average height than Americans and the British. Having said that, individuals in Sweden are still shorter on average when compared to those other nations in the Nordics. In particular, Swedes stood 172.71 cm on average all over the world, followed by Norwegians. In other words, Swedish people are still taller than Norwegians.
