Timor-Leste, formerly known as East Timor, has the lowest average height among countries based on available data up to September 2021. Adult males in Timor-Leste have an average height of 159.8 cm (5 feet 3 inches), while adult females have an average height of 149.8 cm (4 feet 11 inches), making it the country with the shortest average height in the world.
Various factors, such as genetics, nutrition, and healthcare, contribute to the average height of a population. Timor-Leste has a complicated history of colonization, conflict, and poverty, which have significantly impacted the health and well-being of its people. Portugal colonized Timor-Leste in the 16th century, and Indonesia occupied it from 1975 to 1999, leading to violence, displacement, and forced labor.
After gaining independence in 2002, Timor-Leste struggled with economic development, infrastructure, and access to healthcare. Chronic malnutrition, infectious diseases, and inadequate healthcare services, particularly maternal and child health, are the main challenges facing the country. Around 50% of children under the age of 5 in Timor-Leste are stunted due to malnutrition, which affects their cognitive and physical development.
Similarly, other countries with low average heights, such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and Yemen, are among the poorest countries globally and face similar challenges such as limited access to healthcare, poverty, and malnutrition. In contrast, countries with high average heights tend to be more developed, affluent, and have better access to healthcare and nutrition. For instance, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway are among the countries with the highest average heights in the world, with average male heights exceeding 180 cm (5 feet 11 inches).
In conclusion, Timor-Leste has the shortest average height among countries based on available data up to September 2021. A combination of factors such as historical, economic, and environmental issues, including malnutrition, infectious diseases, and inadequate access to healthcare, have contributed to this trend.