The Three Smallest People On Earth: A 2024 Update On The World Record Holders

The title of "the smallest person on Earth" is a complex and often misunderstood designation, typically belonging to the shortest living person currently verified by Guinness World Records. As of December 2025, the official record holder for the shortest living person is an actress from India, who stands just over two feet tall. This article provides a comprehensive and up-to-date look at the three most significant record holders—the shortest living woman, the shortest living man, and the shortest man ever recorded—detailing their biographies, the medical conditions that led to their unique stature, and the latest news surrounding their lives in 2024 and 2025.

The stories of these individuals are not just about measurements; they are inspiring narratives of perseverance, global recognition, and overcoming extraordinary physical challenges. From an Indian actress to an Iranian internet personality, their lives have captured the world’s attention, offering a unique perspective on life at the extreme end of the human height spectrum. This is the latest information on the current record holders.

1. Jyoti Amge: The Shortest Living Person on Earth (The Shortest Woman)

Jyoti Amge, an Indian actress, currently holds the official Guinness World Record for the shortest living woman, and by extension, is the shortest living person on Earth, as her height is less than that of the shortest living man. Her journey from a small town in India to a global celebrity is a testament to her positive spirit and determination.

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Jyoti Amge Biography & Profile

• Full Name: Jyoti Kishanji Amge
• Title: World’s Shortest Living Woman / Shortest Living Person
• Height: 62.8 cm (24.7 inches or 2 feet 0.7 inches)
• Date of Birth: 16 December 1993
• Place of Birth: Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 32 years old
• Medical Condition: Primordial Dwarfism (some reports mention Achondroplasia, but primordial dwarfism is the likely cause of her extreme small size)
• Career: Actress, featured in *American Horror Story: Freak Show* (Season 4)

Life and Latest Updates (2024-2025)

Jyoti Amge was officially declared the world's shortest living woman by Guinness World Records on her 18th birthday in 2011. Her height is a result of a form of dwarfism known as primordial dwarfism, a rare genetic condition that significantly restricts growth from an early age.

Despite the challenges of everyday life, which she has openly shared, Amge has pursued a successful career in entertainment. Her most notable role came in 2014 when she starred as Ma Petite in the popular television series *American Horror Story: Freak Show*. Her acting career has allowed her to travel the world and use her platform to inspire others.

A recent highlight in Amge's life was a widely publicized meeting in February 2024 with the world's tallest living man, Sultan Kösen, in the United States. The reunion, six years after their last meeting, showcased the incredible contrast in human size, with Kösen standing at 251 cm (8 ft 2.8 inches) next to Amge's 62.8 cm. Beyond her public appearances, Amge has been consistent in promoting yoga and healthy living, using her fame for positive influence.

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2. Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh: The Shortest Living Man

The title for the shortest living man is currently held by Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh, who is only slightly taller than Jyoti Amge. His record was confirmed in late 2022, marking a new chapter for the Guinness World Records.

Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh Biography & Profile

• Full Name: Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh (also Afshin Ghaderzadeh)
• Title: World’s Shortest Living Man
• Height: 65.24 cm (2 ft 1.6 in)
• Date of Birth: 13 July 2002
• Place of Birth: Bukan, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran
• Nationality: Iranian (Kurdish)
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 23 years old
• Medical Condition: Undiagnosed form of Primordial Dwarfism
• Record Confirmed: December 2022

Life and Challenges

Afshin Ghaderzadeh was born with a very low body weight, approximately 700 grams (1.5 pounds), and his growth was severely restricted due to an undiagnosed genetic disorder, which experts believe is a form of primordial dwarfism. Growing up in a modest village in Iran, his small stature presented significant challenges. He was unable to attend school due to his physical condition and struggled to follow in the footsteps of his father, Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh, who works in construction.

His life changed dramatically when he was officially recognized by Guinness World Records in Dubai in 2022. The recognition brought him global attention and the opportunity to pursue his passion for social media. He is an active Kurdish internet personality, using his platform to share his life and inspire others. In a remarkable twist, Afshin also qualified for another Guinness record: the male with the world's smallest hands, further emphasizing his unique physical traits.

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3. Chandra Bahadur Dangi: The Shortest Person Ever Recorded

While the titles for the shortest living man and woman are currently held by Afshin and Jyoti, the record for the shortest person in history belongs to a man from Nepal, Chandra Bahadur Dangi. His record remains unbroken, setting the ultimate benchmark for short stature.

Chandra Bahadur Dangi Biography & Profile

• Full Name: Chandra Bahadur Dangi
• Title: Shortest Person Ever Verified
• Height: 54.6 cm (21.5 inches or 1 foot 9.5 inches)
• Date of Birth: 30 November 1939
• Place of Birth: Reemkholi village, Salyan district, Nepal
• Nationality: Nepalese
• Medical Condition: Primordial Dwarfism
• Date of Death: 3 September 2015
• Cause of Death: Pneumonia

A Legacy of Extremes

Chandra Bahadur Dangi was a primordial dwarf who lived a quiet life in a remote village in Nepal until his discovery by a local contractor in 2012. At the age of 72, he was officially measured and awarded the record, becoming an overnight global sensation.

Dangi's height of 54.6 cm makes him the shortest person ever verified in human history, a full 8.2 cm (over 3 inches) shorter than the current shortest living person, Jyoti Amge. His life was marked by poverty and isolation, but his final years were filled with travel and public appearances, including meeting the world's tallest man, Sultan Kösen, in 2014. Dangi passed away at the age of 75 in 2015 from pneumonia while traveling for a public engagement in American Samoa. His record stands as a historical milestone, a reminder of the extreme variations in human biology.

Understanding the Medical Conditions: Skeletal Dysplasia and Dwarfism

The conditions that result in extreme short stature are generally categorized under skeletal dysplasias, commonly known as dwarfism or restricted growth. The two primary conditions related to the world's shortest people are Achondroplasia and Primordial Dwarfism.

• Achondroplasia: This is the most common form of dwarfism, affecting about 70 percent of all cases. It is caused by a mutation in the FGFR3 gene and results in disproportionately short limbs with an average-sized torso. People with Achondroplasia typically grow to about 4 feet tall.
• Primordial Dwarfism: This is an extremely rare and severe form of dwarfism, often resulting in a proportionally smaller body size and significantly lower adult height, usually below 3 feet. Both Jyoti Amge and the late Chandra Bahadur Dangi are recognized as having a form of primordial dwarfism, which accounts for their record-breaking measurements. This condition often presents greater health challenges than Achondroplasia.

The world record holders, through their public lives, have brought awareness to these rare genetic conditions and the daily struggles and triumphs of little people globally. Their stories encourage a greater understanding of human diversity and resilience in the face of adversity.