In 2022, the average height of South Korean men in their thirties lay at 174.71 centimeters. Men in older age groups tended to be shorter. On average, South Korean men were 171.49 centimeters tall that year.

 Diet and healthcare in South Korea

It has been observed that improvements in nutrition and healthcare lead to increased average height over time. With the rapid industrialization in South Korea came improvements in healthcare and nutritional intake. South Korea ranks among the leading countries in the health index, which measures a population’s health and a country’s healthcare system. Even with an excellent healthcare system, South Koreans have increasingly been concerned about their diet and nutrition, exemplified by the share of people trying to consume certain nutrients every day.

 Height preferences in South Korea 

According to a 2019 survey, for most respondents the preferred height for South Korean men was higher than the current average. This discrepancy was similar for the preferred height for women, showing how preferences for taller people stretched across genders. Not only are South Koreans preferring taller partners, but they are also getting taller over time. Another survey found that the ideal height for a spouse in the country came closer to the average height of younger generations.

In 2022, the average height of South Korean women in their thirties was 161.86 centimeters, with women in their twenties having a very similar average height. On average, South Korean women were 158.26 centimeters tall, and older women tended to be shorter.

Average height increases slowly

The average height of women in South Korea has seen a noticeable increase over the past decade. In 2012, women in their twenties were 161.54 centimeters on average. However, the average height grew by around 0.23 centimeters in the past ten years. The change could be attributed to improvements in overall nutrition, healthcare, and living conditions in the country.

The South Korean beauty standard

In a survey, South Korean women were asked about their preferred height range, and their answers fell between 165 to 175 centimeters. Women not only have a preferred height for themselves but also for their future spouses. Single women’s ideal height for their potential husbands was at around 178.8 centimeters, while single men wished for their potential wives to be 163 centimeters tall.

In 2023, South Korean high school students were among the tallest in Asia, with male students aged 16 years old averaging 174.3 cm and female students averaging 161.7 cm. Both South Korean men and women have seen drastic increases in height over the past century, and in the case of women, the change in average height is the largest increase for any population in the world. Height is linked to health The average height of a population can be a good indicator for the overall health of that country; aside from genetic factors, nutrition and childhood infections play an important role in how a child will develop in terms of growth. South Koreans can expect to live longer these days; the average life expectancy at birth has steadily increased and was at 82.7 years as of 2022. Women are expected to live slightly longer than men by around five years. The average weight of South Korean high school students has also generally increased over the years, which may suggest nutrition has improved. However, as with many other OECD countries, the obesity rate has also increased among the population.

In 2022, South Korean men aged 50 to 59 years old were 170.51 centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean men was 171.49 centimeters.

In 2022, South Korean men aged 40 to 49 years old were 173.53 centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean men was 171.49 centimeters.

In 2022, South Korean men aged 30 to 39 years old were 174.71 centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean men was 171.49 centimeters.

In 2022, South Korean men aged 60 to 69 years old were 168 centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean men was 171.49 centimeters.

In 2022, South Korean elderly males aged 70 to 79 years old were 165.61 centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean men was 171.49 centimeters.

In 2022, South Korean women aged 20 to 29 years old were 161.83 centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean women was 158.26 centimeters.

Korea Prevalence of Stunting: Height for Age: Male: % of Children Under 5 data was reported at 2.400 % in 2010. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2.400 % for 2003. Korea Prevalence of Stunting: Height for Age: Male: % of Children Under 5 data is updated yearly, averaging 2.400 % from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2010, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.400 % in 2010 and a record low of 2.400 % in 2010. Korea Prevalence of Stunting: Height for Age: Male: % of Children Under 5 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Health Statistics. Prevalence of stunting, male, is the percentage of boys under age 5 whose height for age is more than two standard deviations below the median for the international reference population ages 0-59 months. For children up to two years old height is measured by recumbent length. For older children height is measured by stature while standing. The data are based on the WHO's new child growth standards released in 2006.; ; World Health Organization, Global Database on Child Growth and Malnutrition. Country-level data are unadjusted data from national surveys, and thus may not be comparable across countries.; Linear mixed-effect model estimates; Undernourished children have lower resistance to infection and are more likely to die from common childhood ailments such as diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections. Frequent illness saps the nutritional status of those who survive, locking them into a vicious cycle of recurring sickness and faltering growth (UNICEF, www.childinfo.org). Estimates of child malnutrition, based on prevalence of underweight and stunting, are from national survey data. The proportion of underweight children is the most common malnutrition indicator. Being even mildly underweight increases the risk of death and inhibits cognitive development in children. And it perpetuates the problem across generations, as malnourished women are more likely to have low-birth-weight babies. Stunting, or being below median height for age, is often used as a proxy for multifaceted deprivation and as an indicator of long-term changes in malnutrition.

In 2022, the average weight of South Korean men in their thirties lay at 79.46 kilograms. Men in older age groups tended to weigh less. On average, South Korean men weighed around 74.3 kilograms that year.

Korea Prevalence of Wasting: Weight for Height: Male: % of Children Under 5 data was reported at 1.300 % in 2010. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.900 % for 2003. Korea Prevalence of Wasting: Weight for Height: Male: % of Children Under 5 data is updated yearly, averaging 1.100 % from Dec 2003 (Median) to 2010, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.300 % in 2010 and a record low of 0.900 % in 2003. Korea Prevalence of Wasting: Weight for Height: Male: % of Children Under 5 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Korea – Table KR.World Bank: Health Statistics. Prevalence of wasting, male,is the proportion of boys under age 5 whose weight for height is more than two standard deviations below the median for the international reference population ages 0-59.; ; World Health Organization, Global Database on Child Growth and Malnutrition. Country-level data are unadjusted data from national surveys, and thus may not be comparable across countries.; Linear mixed-effect model estimates; Undernourished children have lower resistance to infection and are more likely to die from common childhood ailments such as diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections. Frequent illness saps the nutritional status of those who survive, locking them into a vicious cycle of recurring sickness and faltering growth (UNICEF, www.childinfo.org). Estimates of child malnutrition, based on prevalence of underweight and stunting, are from national survey data. The proportion of underweight children is the most common malnutrition indicator. Being even mildly underweight increases the risk of death and inhibits cognitive development in children. And it perpetuates the problem across generations, as malnourished women are more likely to have low-birth-weight babies. Stunting, or being below median height for age, is often used as a proxy for multifaceted deprivation and as an indicator of long-term changes in malnutrition.

In 2022, South Korean men aged 20 to 29 years old were 174.43 centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean men was 171.49 centimeters.

In 2022, South Korean women aged 40 to 49 years old were 160.62 centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean women was 158.26 centimeters.

In 2022, South Korean women aged 60 to 69 years old were 155.3 centimeters tall. That year, the average height of South Korean women was 158.26 centimeters.

In 2022, South Korean women weighed, on average, around 58.65 kilograms. Women across all age categories tended to have similar weight averages, apart from women aged 80 years and older, who weighed significantly less. The average height for women aged 39 years or younger that year was around 162 centimeters.

South Korean beauty standards

The perception of beauty is generally heavily influenced by the media's portrayed image thereof. South Korean media promotes a limited one, namely the "thin ideal". Due to the goal of coming closer to the slim model, most South Korean women have tried to go on a diet. Additionally, most female respondents stated that weight control was the leading reason for participating in sports. For many researchers, the idealization of a thin body has lead has led to rising numbers of eating disorder cases and distorted self-images of young women.

The growing plastic surgery market

The share of people having undergone plastic surgery procedures is rising every year. According to a 2020 survey, women aged between 20 to 39 years represented the highest share of respondents who underwent plastic surgery. South Koreans showed the highest interest in double-eyelid surgery, followed by rhinoplasty. These procedures align with the beauty ideal of having big, double-lidded eyes and a high-bridged, pointy nose. Besides conveying a wealthy image, plastic surgery is also used to improve chances of finding a job and getting married. About 67 percent of South Koreans think that it is acceptable to get plastic surgery for this reason.

In 2023, the female elementary student population aged ten years old was 151.1 centimeters on average. The recorded heights for female students was consistently slightly taller than that of male students, whose average height that year amounted to 150.5 centimeters.

According to a survey conducted in 2019 by Ipsos on global attitudes toward beauty, over 70 percent of South Korean respondents stated that they preferred men to be between 5 feet 10 inches (around 178cm) to 6 feet 1 inch (around 185cm) tall.

In 2023, the average male middle school student in South Korea weighed 65.4 kilograms, while the average female student weight 54.8 kilograms. The weight of middle school students in Korea has changed dramatically in recent years. The average height also increased, but the increase in body weight was noticeably greater than in the height. Education fever and healthSouth Korea is known as a country with “education fever”. To study in a good high school, a good university, and eventually work in a good company, students are working hard to get the best possible score in their respective positions. However, most students are suffering from lack of sleep and unbalanced eating habits due to prolonged study times combined with their regular schedule at school and private education. The obesity rate of South Korean students has also increased over the years, alongside the average weight. Obesity in South KoreaThe obesity rate refers to the population rate with a body mass index (BMI) of over 25. As of 2022, more than one third of the population were considered obese, showing a steady increase since 2008. The age group with the largest rate of obesity was the population in their forties, however, the obesity rate of the young population aged 19 to 29 years old has experienced rapid growth over the years.

In 2020, the average length of education in South Korea reached 12.5 years. While men typically received more years of education than women, this gap has been gradually narrowing over the years.