Why are the Dutch so tall?

The Dutch are the tallest population in the world. You might wonder why, and we might have the answers. In our previous blog, we have talked about how our body develops and grows. In this blog, we will dive deeper into bodies that have grown and how that differs worldwide. Why are the Dutch so tall? Let’s find out!

Who are the tallest people in the world?

The Dutch have been the tallest population in the world since 1958, a year before the Dutch women were already the tallest in the world. In the 40’s and 50’s tall Dutch people were a rare find. Back then, not more than 3 percent of the guys would be taller than 190 centimeters. In 20 percent of Dutch boys is at least 190 centimeters tall.

In the 50’s, being shorter in the Netherlands was very normal, almost half of the men were shorter than 175. If you walk around the Netherlands nowadays, 12 percent of the men are shorter than 175cm. (Source: CBS, 2021) And that already is taller than most, 62%, of the average height of other countries. 

Source: World Population Review

Who are the shortest people in the world?

From tall to short, see the top ten shortest countries below.

Source: World Population Review

How tall are people on average worldwide?

From all countries together, the average height for males is 171,4cm and for women it is 159,2cm.

Comparing the average height of the Dutch with other countries shows interesting patterns and variations. Scandinavian countries, known for their tall populations, share some similarities with the Dutch in terms of genetics, diet, and healthcare. In contrast, regions with historical challenges like wartime strife or economic instability may exhibit shorter average heights. Factors such as access to education, healthcare, and economic stability all contribute to the height differences we can see worldwide.

Why are the Dutch so tall?

To understand why you always have to look up when you are talking to a Dutchie, we have to look down into the genetics, nutrition and historical aspects of the country.

• Genetics

First of all one explanation for the height of the Dutch lies in the genetics. Over centuries, the Dutch population has undergone a process of natural selection favoring taller individuals. In 2015 Bert Stulp published a study of his examination of data from 42.616 Dutchies. He found that, on average, tall Dutch men have more children than shorter men.

One explanation could be that tall men are more successful in finding a partner and are more likely to pass on their 'tall genes' to their children. Still, according to the scientist, it is unlikely that natural selection is the only explanation for why Dutch people are so tall.

Even though the tall men had a lot more children, on an evolutionary scale the effect is too small. The bottom line was that over six generations you saw a growth of about three millimeters. Given that Nowadays the Dutch are on average 15 to 20 centimeters taller than 150 years ago, just evolution does not hold up.

• Nutrition

The Dutch diet famously contains a lot of diary. Taking the diet into account when considering the health, this milk and cheese factor is a crucial point. Dairy products are widely consumed in various forms, cheese and yoghurts. These contain essential building blocks like protein and calcium and vitamin D. In addition, milk naturally contains growth hormones as it is a natural product for calves to grow up to be a cow.

The emphasis on a well-rounded and nutritionally dense diet contributes to the overall health and stature of the Dutch population. The food authorities (Voedingscentrum) underlines the importance of a variety of healthy foods. Where kids learn the importance of the five building blocks, fruits and vegetables, oils, proteins, water and grain products, and how much you should eat of each category.

• Healthcare and prosperity

Lastly, the Netherlands is a safe and rich country. People have access to healthcare and can afford to eat well and take good care of themselves. If you are sick often or experience stress, it influences growth.

The growth spurt of the Dutch happened in the 20^th century, when the country was getting more prosperous. The diet didn’t change much, what did change is the Netherlands becoming a welfare state. Mix this in with tall men having more babies, and you have the tallest country in the world!

Who was the tallest person in the world?

The tallest man that ever lived was not Dutch! The American Robert Wadlow measured a staggering 2 meters and 72 centimeters. You can stand next to a Robert Wadlow robot at Ripley’s Believe it or Not in Amsterdam, if you want to feel small!

The tallest living person at this date is Sultan Kösen, who is 2 meters and 51 centimeters, measured by Guinness World Records. 

Sultan's towering stature and remarkable growth stem from a condition termed "pituitary gigantism," characterized by excessive production of growth hormone. This hormone is naturally secreted by the pituitary gland in the brain. However, when the gland is impaired, such as by a tumor, it can lead to abnormal hormone release. The repercussions of this overproduction manifest in enlarged hands, bone thickening, and joint discomfort.

Different places, different bodies

As we travel around the world, we learn that how tall people are involves many factors like genes, nutrition, and access to good healthcare. But our exploration of people's bodies isn't just about how tall they are. There are lots of interesting things to discover, like special body features and the cultural ideas that influence how we see the human body. Discover the human body at BODY WORLDS and uncover all the secrets.