The 4 Shortest People In The World: Current Record Holders And History's Tiniest Figures

The title of "the shortest person in the world" is not held by a single individual, but rather by different record holders across various categories, as officially tracked by Guinness World Records. As of December 2025, the world’s shortest living man is Afshin Ghaderzadeh from Iran, and the world’s shortest living woman is Jyoti Amge from India. These individuals, along with the historical record holders, represent some of the most inspiring and unique stories of human existence, often overcoming significant physical challenges to live remarkable lives.

The distinction between the shortest man and shortest woman, and between "living" and "ever recorded," ensures that the records are fair and comprehensive. This article dives into the lives and verified statistics of the four most important titleholders, providing the most current and authoritative information available.

The Current Shortest People Living (Mobile)

The "mobile" category applies to individuals who can walk unassisted. These two extraordinary people currently hold the official Guinness World Records titles.

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1. Afshin Ghaderzadeh: The Shortest Living Man

Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh is the current Guinness World Records holder for the shortest living man (mobile). His measurement was officially verified in late 2022, making him one of the most recent additions to the record books.

• Full Name: Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh
• Title: Shortest Man Living (Mobile)
• Nationality: Iranian (from a village near Bukan, West Azerbaijan Province)
• Height: 65.24 cm (2 ft 1.6 in)
• Date of Birth: July 13, 2002
• Record Verified: December 13, 2022, in Dubai, UAE
• Previous Record Holder: Edward “Niño” Hernandez (Colombia)

Afshin's life in the rural village of Bukan, in northern Iran, has presented many challenges. Due to his size, he was unable to attend school, but he has learned to read and write with the help of a tutor.

His small stature is believed to be due to a form of primordial dwarfism, a rare genetic condition. Despite the physical difficulties, including the challenge of finding clothes that fit (he often wears clothes meant for toddlers), Afshin has a positive outlook and enjoys watching football and using a smartphone, which is one of the few items that feels comfortable in his hands.

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At the time of his verification, he was almost 7 cm (2.7 inches) shorter than the previous record holder, Edward "Niño" Hernandez. Afshin's recognition by Guinness World Records has brought him global attention and has allowed him to pursue his dream of helping his family and gaining a better life.

2. Jyoti Amge: The Shortest Living Woman

Jyoti Amge, an Indian actress, has held the title of the shortest living woman for over a decade. Her journey from Nagpur, India, to international fame has been nothing short of inspiring.

• Full Name: Jyoti Kishanji Amge
• Title: Shortest Woman Living (Mobile)
• Nationality: Indian (from Nagpur, Maharashtra)
• Height: 62.8 cm (2 ft 0.7 in)
• Date of Birth: December 16, 1993
• Record Verified: December 16, 2011 (on her 18th birthday)
• Medical Condition: Achondroplasia (a form of dwarfism)

Jyoti’s incredibly small size is a result of achondroplasia, a common cause of dwarfism, which stopped her from growing beyond a certain height.

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She was first declared the world's shortest teenager and then, upon turning 18, was officially recognized as the shortest living woman.

Beyond her record, Jyoti Amge has built a successful career in the entertainment industry. She has appeared in Indian television shows and gained international recognition for her role as Ma Petite in the fourth season of the hit FX television series, American Horror Story: Freak Show.

Her status as a global celebrity has allowed her to meet other record holders, including the world’s tallest woman, Rumeysa Gelgi, for a special Guinness World Records Day event.

The Shortest People Ever Recorded in History

While Afshin Ghaderzadeh and Jyoti Amge hold the current living records, history contains even more astonishing figures. The records for the shortest man and woman "ever" measured are held by two individuals whose heights were significantly lower than the current titleholders.

3. Chandra Bahadur Dangi: The Shortest Man Ever

The title of the shortest man ever recorded belongs to Chandra Bahadur Dangi, a Nepali villager whose height defied all known modern records. His life was a testament to the extraordinary nature of human variation.

• Full Name: Chandra Bahadur Dangi
• Title: Shortest Man Ever
• Nationality: Nepali (from the remote village of Rhimkholi)
• Height: 54.6 cm (21.5 in or 1 ft 9.5 in)
• Lifespan: November 30, 1939 – September 3, 2015
• Verification Date: February 26, 2012

Chandra Dangi lived a simple life as a weaver and artisan in a remote part of Nepal until he was discovered by a timber contractor. His height was so unprecedented that he was measured three times over a 24-hour period before Guinness World Records could officially confirm his status.

During his time as a record holder, Dangi traveled the world and was famously photographed meeting Sultan Kösen, the world's tallest man, creating one of the most iconic images in Guinness history. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 75, leaving a legacy as the smallest person to ever receive the title.

4. Pauline Musters: The Shortest Woman Ever

The historical record for the shortest woman ever is held by Pauline Musters, a Dutch performer known professionally as "Princess Pauline." Her life, though tragically short, was marked by international fame in the late 19th century.

• Full Name: Pauline Musters
• Title: Shortest Woman Ever
• Nationality: Dutch (from Ossendrecht, Netherlands)
• Final Height: 61 cm (24 in or 2 ft)
• Lifespan: February 26, 1876 – February 1, 1895
• Career: Performer, known as "Princess Pauline"

Pauline Musters was born incredibly small, measuring only 30 cm (12 inches) at birth. She began her career as a performer at a very young age, traveling across Europe and the United States, delighting audiences with her diminutive size and charm.

Her final verified height, measured at the age of 19, was 61 cm. Tragically, she died in New York City in 1895, just before her 19th birthday, from a combination of pneumonia and meningitis. Despite her short life, her record has stood for over a century, cementing her place as the shortest woman in history.

The Science Behind Extreme Short Stature

The extreme short stature seen in these record holders is typically due to rare genetic conditions that affect bone and cartilage development. The medical terms associated with these conditions are critical to understanding the science behind the records.

• Achondroplasia: This is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism. It is a genetic disorder that hinders the conversion of cartilage into bone, particularly in the long bones of the arms and legs. Jyoti Amge's condition is attributed to achondroplasia.
• Primordial Dwarfism: This is a group of rare disorders that result in a smaller body size beginning in the womb. Individuals with this condition are typically born with a significantly reduced size and maintain a proportional, but extremely small, body throughout their lives. Afshin Ghaderzadeh's condition is often associated with this classification.
• Laron Syndrome: While not the cause for these specific record holders, Laron Syndrome is another form of dwarfism caused by the body's inability to use growth hormone, leading to very short stature.

The lives of these record holders—Afshin Ghaderzadeh, Jyoti Amge, Chandra Bahadur Dangi, and Pauline Musters—are a powerful reminder of the diversity of the human body and the incredible resilience of the human spirit. Their verified records continue to captivate the world, inspiring millions with their unique stories and achievements.