National Short Person Day Date in the current year: December 22, 2025

While the exact origins of National Short Person Day are unclear, it appears to have existed since at least 2018. But what exactly constitutes a short height? It’s difficult to provide a definitive answer because average height and the social perception of height vary by region. In the United States, the average male height is 5 feet 9 inches (about 175 cm), and the average female height is between 5 feet 3 1/2 and 4 inches (161-162 cm), though more exact figures may vary by ethnicity.

Medically, short stature is a measurable condition defined as a height significantly below the population average for adults, though there is no single, universal cutoff. Short stature may be caused by various genetic or non-genetic conditions or malnutrition, and sometimes there is no apparent cause (idiopathic short stature).

Socially, however, short height is a relative concept, defined by comparison to others and by social and individual expectations. In some cases, a person who is slightly below average height may be considered short. But why does one’s shortness or perceived shortness matter at all? In a perfect world, it wouldn’t matter, but our world is far from perfect.

In many societies, tall stature is viewed as desirable, especially for men. This can result in self-esteem issues for short people. In popular culture, there’s even a term, the Napoleon complex (also known as Napoleon syndrome or short-man syndrome), that describes a purported condition in which people of short stature, typically men, behave in an overly aggressive or domineering manner to compensate for their height.

In some cultures, height is linked to assumptions about competence, leadership, and attractiveness. These assumptions can influence dating experiences, workplace dynamics, and perceptions of confidence. Short adults may be taken less seriously in professional or social settings, treated as less mature, or subjected to unwanted attention or comments.

In addition to facing body image and self-esteem issues, short people can also encounter practical challenges in their daily lives because many objects and spaces are designed with the average height in mind. Reaching shelves, cupboards, ticket machines, ATMs, handrails, and public transportation grips can be difficult and may require assistance. Clothing, especially formal wear, may not fit well without alterations and furniture, such as chairs, desks, and car seats, may be uncomfortable or poorly proportioned.

Of course, not everyone who is short experiences these challenges, and they are not universal or inevitable. Many short people are comfortable in their own skin, have no self-esteem issues, and experience few limitations in daily life, especially in countries where environments are generally accessible and social attitudes are respectful.

However, this doesn’t make these challenges nonexistent. National Short Person Day was created to raise awareness of the practical, social, and psychological challenges short people may face, combat the stigma surrounding short stature, and celebrate diversity and acceptance.