What Is the Shortest Nationality in Europe?
I still remember the night I stumbled upon this bizarre question. It was during a lively debate in a small pub in Prague, where a few of us were discussing random trivia over a few beers.
— “What’s the shortest nationality in Europe?” asked Marco, an Italian friend with a passion for useless but fascinating facts.
We all paused for a second.
— “Shortest in what sense? Like, in terms of name length?” I asked, trying to make sense of it.
— “No, I mean, literally the shortest people in Europe. Which nationality has the lowest average height?”
The room went quiet. Someone suggested the Portuguese, another said the Maltese, and then a guy from the Netherlands burst into laughter.
— “Well, it’s definitely not us Dutch!”
That moment stuck with me, and later that night, I found myself diving into research. What is the shortest nationality in Europe? And why?
How Do We Measure the “Shortest” Nationality?
Before we dive into the rankings, let’s get one thing straight: height is influenced by many factors, including genetics, nutrition, health care, and even historical events.
When we talk about the shortest nationality, we mean the country with the lowest average adult height for both men and women. The best way to measure this is through scientific studies and global health reports, which collect data from different populations.
So, which European country holds the title?
The Shortest Nationality in Europe: The Maltese?
After hours of research, one nationality kept popping up: the Maltese.
- According to multiple studies, Malta has one of the lowest average heights in Europe.
- The average height of Maltese men is about 170 cm (5’7”), while women average around 158 cm (5’2”).
While this isn’t dramatically short on a global scale, it is notably below the European average.
Why Are the Maltese Shorter on Average?
At first, I thought this was purely a genetic thing. But it turns out, the height of a population is influenced by a mix of history, diet, and environment. Here are some reasons why the Maltese might be among Europe’s shortest:
Genetic Ancestry
- Malta has a unique genetic mix due to its history as a melting pot of Mediterranean cultures. Influences from North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe have shaped the population’s traits over centuries.
Geographic Isolation
- Being an island nation, Malta had a relatively small gene pool for a long time, which may have reinforced certain genetic characteristics, including height.
Historical Nutrition
- Nutrition plays a huge role in height development. Countries with historically limited access to high-protein diets (like Northern Europe with its dairy and meat-heavy cuisine) often have shorter populations.
- Malta, being a small island, historically relied on fishing and agriculture, but food shortages in the past may have affected generational growth patterns.
Climate and Lifestyle
- Some studies suggest that populations in warmer climates tend to be slightly shorter, possibly due to evolutionary adaptation.
How Does Malta Compare to Other Shorter Nations in Europe?
Although Malta tops many lists, other countries also have relatively short populations:
Portugal
- Portuguese men average around 172 cm (5’8”), while women average 160 cm (5’3”).
- Like Malta, Portugal has a Mediterranean influence and historically faced periods of food scarcity.
Bosnia & Herzegovina (Surprise Entry!)
- Here’s something unexpected: Bosnian women are among the shortest in Europe, averaging 159 cm (5’3”).
- However, Bosnian men are among the tallest, averaging 181 cm (5’11”)! This creates one of the biggest male-female height gaps in Europe.
Italy (Specifically the South)
- While Northern Italians tend to be taller, Southern Italians have a lower average height.
- Men: 174 cm (5’9”)
- Women: 161 cm (5’3”)
- This is likely due to the same Mediterranean diet and genetic factors seen in Malta and Portugal.
The Tallest vs. The Shortest: The Dutch Giants
If the Maltese are among the shortest, then who are the giants of Europe? The answer is easy: the Dutch.
- Dutch men are the tallest in the world, averaging 183–185 cm (6’0”–6’1”).
- Dutch women are also very tall, averaging 170 cm (5’7”).
Why? A combination of genetics, a high-calcium diet, and excellent healthcare has led to generations of tall people.
I remember bringing this up with my Dutch friend back at the bar, and he just smirked:
— “Yep, we’re basically walking skyscrapers.”
Does Height Even Matter?
At the end of the day, does it really matter which nationality is the shortest or the tallest? Probably not.
But it’s fascinating how history, genetics, diet, and environment shape something as simple as our height.
And next time someone throws this random trivia question at you, you’ll have an answer:
— “The shortest nationality in Europe? Likely the Maltese.”
Then you can raise your glass and enjoy watching the conversation take off.
What Do You Think?
Do you know someone from Malta or another short-statured European country? Have you noticed differences in height when traveling? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.