You might have found yourself wondering how your height compares with the average Australian woman. Whether you’re shopping for clothes, checking growth charts, or just curious, the official numbers offer a clearer picture than casual conversation. Here’s what the data actually says — and what it doesn’t.
Average height of Australian women: 161.8 cm (5 ft 4 in) — ABS 2011–13 ·
Average height of Australian men: 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) — ABS 2011–13 ·
Global average female height (estimate): ~159.5 cm (5 ft 3 in) — WHO data
Quick snapshot
- Average height of Australian women: 161.8 cm (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
- Average male height Australia: 175 cm (Wikipedia)
- Tallest women globally: Latvia (~170 cm) (Wikipedia)
- Between 1995 and 2011–13, Australian women’s average height increased by 0.4 cm (ABS)
- Australia is overdue for a new national height survey (ABS)
Here is a summary of key height statistics from the ABS and other sources.
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average height (women 18+) – ABS 2011–13 | 161.8 cm (5 ft 4 in) | Australian Bureau of Statistics (Australia’s national statistical agency) |
| Average height (women 18–24) | 163.8 cm | ABS (Profiles of Health, Australia) |
| Average height (women 75+) | 155.7 cm | ABS |
| Average male height (18+) – ABS 2011–13 | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) | Wikipedia |
| Height increase 1995–2011–13 (women) | +0.4 cm | ABS |
| Self-report error (women, median over-report) | 1.6 cm | ABS (self-report validation study) |
| Self-report error (men, median over-report) | 2.2 cm | ABS |
| Tallest women country | Latvia (~170 cm) | Wikipedia (compilation of global studies) |
Is 5’10” tall in Australia?
Understanding height percentiles
- 5’10” (178 cm) is well above the average Australian woman (162 cm). Wikipedia (height distribution data) indicates it would place a woman in the 95th+ percentile in Australia.
- For men, 5’10” is slightly below the Australian male average of 175 cm. Wikipedia
A woman at 5’10” is statistically among the tallest 5% of Australian women. The social experience of being “very tall” for a woman in Australia matches the data.
How 5’10” compares to the average Australian woman
- At 178 cm, she is 16 cm taller than the 162 cm average — roughly the height difference between an average woman and an average man.
The pattern is clear: 5’10” is not just “tall” — it’s a statistical outlier for Australian women. Reddit discussion from Australians informally confirms that women of this height often stand out in daily life.
The pattern is clear: 5’10” is not just “tall” — it’s a statistical outlier for Australian women.
The implication: If you’re a woman at 5’10” in Australia, you’re in a distinct minority. For clothing and social perception, that matters.
Is 5’7″ average or tall for a woman?
Comparing 5’7″ to the Australian average
- 5’7″ (170 cm) is 8 cm above the average Australian woman (162 cm). ABS
- In Australia, a 5’7″ woman is taller than about 85% of women. Wikipedia (height distribution)
Global perspective on 5’7″
- In Latvia and the Netherlands (~170 cm average), 5’7″ is exactly average. Wikipedia
- Globally, 5’7″ is above average for women. WorldData (global height comparison site)
So 5’7″ is not average in Australia — it’s clearly taller than typical.
So 5’7″ is not average in Australia — it’s clearly taller than typical. But in a global context, it’s moderate.
Why this matters: A 5’7″ Australian woman might not feel particularly tall day-to-day because she’s still below the average man’s height. But the data shows she is in the upper range of female heights.
What is the average height for women in Australia?
Official ABS height data
- The Australian Bureau of Statistics (Australia’s national statistical agency) reported the average height of Australian women as 161.8 cm (5 ft 4 in) for 2011–13. ABS
- For women aged 18–24, the average was slightly higher at 163.8 cm. ABS
Average height by age group
- Women 75+ averaged 155.7 cm — a difference of 8.1 cm from the youngest group. ABS
The 8 cm gap between young and old women partly reflects generational height gains and partly age-related shrinkage. Without a new survey, we can’t separate the two.
How to convert centimeters to feet and inches
One inch equals 2.54 cm. To convert: divide cm by 2.54, then split into feet and inches. For example, the average 161.8 cm ÷ 2.54 = 63.7 inches = 5 feet 3.7 inches (commonly stated as 5’4″). For more detailed conversion guides, see our articles on 60 Inches to cm and 20 Inches in CM.
The trade-off: The ABS data is now over a decade old. Self-reported height studies from 2017–18 suggest people tend to overstate height (women by 1.6 cm on average). ABS (self-report validation). So today’s actual measured average could be slightly lower — or higher if the secular trend continues.
What is the tallest female country?
Latvia and other top countries
- Latvian women average ~170 cm, the tallest globally. Wikipedia (global height data)
- Other tall countries: Netherlands (~170 cm), Estonia (~168 cm), Denmark (~167 cm). WorldData
How Australia ranks globally
- Australia’s female height (~162 cm) ranks around the middle globally, slightly above the world average of ~159.5 cm. World Health Organization (global health data)
Four countries, one pattern: Northern European women are significantly taller than Australian women. For those interested in learning more about the average female height in Australia, you can find detailed information at Blue-footed booby facts.
Four countries, one pattern: Northern European women are significantly taller than Australian women. The gap is about 8–10 cm on average — roughly the same as the difference between an Australian woman and Australian man.
The catch: “Tallest” depends on the source and year of measurement. But Latvia consistently leads in recent studies.
This table compares female average heights across selected countries.
| Country | Average female height (cm) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Latvia | ~170 | Wikipedia |
| Netherlands | ~170 | WorldData |
| Australia | 161.8 | ABS |
| Global average | ~159.5 | WHO |
Can a 5’7″ girl be petite?
Petite sizing definition
- Petite sizing in the fashion industry typically applies to women under 5’4″ (163 cm). Sumissura (custom clothing retailer guide)
- A 5’7″ woman is not considered petite in standard sizing, regardless of other proportions.
Height ranges for petite clothing
- Petite ranges usually target heights 5’0″–5’3″. Sumissura
The upshot: No — 5’7″ is well above the petite cutoff. Australian women at 5’7″ will typically need regular or tall sizing, especially for dresses and trousers where length matters.
Confirmed facts
- Average female height Australia (ABS 2011–13): 161.8 cm — ABS
- Average male height Australia (ABS 2011–13): 175 cm — Wikipedia
- Latvia has the tallest women globally (~170 cm) — Wikipedia
- Younger Australian women (18–24) average 163.8 cm — ABS
- Height increased 0.4 cm from 1995 to 2011–13 — ABS
What’s unclear
- Whether average height has increased since 2013 — no new national survey — ABS
- Accurate current average without updated measurement — ABS
- How much of the age height gap is generational vs. age-related shrinkage — ABS
Frequently asked questions
What is the average height of Australian women in feet?
5 feet 4 inches (161.8 cm) based on ABS data. ABS
Is 5’6″ considered tall for a woman in Australia?
Yes, 5’6″ (168 cm) is about 6 cm above the average, placing her around the 80th percentile. Wikipedia
How does Australian female height compare to men’s average height?
Australian men average 175 cm — about 13 cm taller than women. Wikipedia
What is the average height for Australian women by age?
Younger women (18–24) average 163.8 cm; women 75+ average 155.7 cm. ABS
How accurate is the ABS height data from 2011–13?
It’s the most reliable national measurement available but is now over a decade old. Self-report studies show women overstate height by about 1.6 cm. ABS
What is the average height for women in neighboring countries like New Zealand?
New Zealand women average about 165 cm, slightly taller than Australia, based on various studies. WorldData
For the average Australian woman, the numbers are clear — 162 cm, give or take a centimeter. For anyone wondering about their own height, keep in mind that official data lags behind reality. Until a new national survey arrives, treat the 2011–13 figure as a reliable floor, not the final word. For Australian women shopping for clothes or tracking growth, the implication is simple: trust measured height over self-reported numbers, and expect that “average” might have crept up by a centimeter or two since the last official measurement.
Jack Lawson is Senior Reporter at Aussie Briefly, covering breaking stories and explainers.