Politics

13 world leaders ranked by how tall they are

Sinéad Baker and Pocharapon Neammanee

Updated

2022-11-24T12:30:00Z

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French President Emmanuel Macron, left, walks with Irish President Michael D. Higgins in Dublin, Ireland, in August 2021. Clodagh Kilcoyne/Pool Photo via AP

World leaders vary widely in height, though many try to project the image of being taller than they are.
We often see them photographed together, allowing us to see just how much their heights can vary.
Here's how they stack up, from the president of Serbia coming in at 6 feet, 6 inches — or 198 centimeters — and Ireland's leader coming in at 5-foot-3, or 160 centimeters.

Studies have shown that voters lean toward taller politicians, viewing them as better suited to leadership.

But the world's leaders fill the whole spectrum, with some topping 6 feet and others closer to 5 feet tall.

World leaders don't always publicize their height, which means estimating often comes down to comparing them as they stand beside one another or with other celebrities whose heights are public.

Some world leaders even go out of their way to seem taller than they are, so their actual height can be something of a surprise.

Here's the height of 13 world leaders and how they compare with their counterparts. They are ranked from shortest to tallest.

Ireland's Michael D. Higgins: 5 feet, 3 inches (160 cm)

DUBLIN, IRELAND - NOVEMBER 12: Ireland president Michael D Higgins greets the teams before the Autumn International match between Ireland and Fiji at Aviva Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Dublin, Dublin. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) — Ireland president Michael D Higgins Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

The Irish president's smaller stature is exaggerated when he hangs out with his giant dogs, Bród and Síoda.

Source: DailyEdge.ie

Scotland's Nicola Sturgeon: 5 feet, 4 inches (163 cm)

ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 10: Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon receives applause after her keynote speech on day three of the Scottish National Party Conference in The Event Complex Aberdeen on October 10, 2022 in Aberdeen, Scotland. This is the first time Scottish National Party Members have met for an in-person conference since October 2019 due to the Covid pandemic. Among resolutions being discussed are homelessness, renewable energy, mitigating the effects of the cost-of-living crisis and raising the school starting age. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) — Nicola Sturgeon Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon stands at 5ft 4 (1.63m).

Source: The Express

North Korea's Kim Jong Un: Between 5-foot-4 (163 cm) and 5-foot-7 (170 cm)

Kim Jong Un Moon Jae-in — Kim with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in April 2018. Associated Press

The North Korean leader is often reported to be 5-foot-7, but it is unclear where that information comes from.

He appears to be shorter than South Korean President Moon Jae-in (pictured above), who is 5-foot-6, but experts also think Kim is often pictured wearing shoes that make him seem taller, which could mean he could be as short as 5-foot-4.