The Three Shortest People On Earth: Unveiling The Current And All-Time Guinness World Record Holders

The title of "Shortest Person on Earth" is a complex one, split between the shortest man living, the shortest woman living, and the shortest person ever recorded in history. As of December 2025, the official Guinness World Records titles are held by two extraordinary individuals, each with a unique story of resilience and global recognition. This article provides the most current and verified details on the three individuals who define the limits of human stature, offering a deep dive into their lives, their medical conditions, and their recent activities.

The quest to document the world's extremes has always fascinated humanity, and the record for the shortest human is one of the most celebrated and scrutinized. The current record holders are not just figures in a book; they are cultural icons whose lives shed light on the diverse spectrum of human physical variation, often caused by rare genetic or hormonal conditions like skeletal dysplasia or achondroplasia.

The Current Shortest People Living: Biographies and Verified Records

The current title of "Shortest Person Living" is officially divided into male and female categories, with two remarkable individuals holding the coveted Guinness World Records titles.

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Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh: The Shortest Man Living

• Full Name: Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh
• Nationality: Iranian
• Date of Birth: July 13, 2002
• Height: 65.24 cm (2 ft 1.68 in)
• Weight: Approximately 6.5 kg (14.3 lbs)
• Record Verified: December 13, 2022, in Dubai, UAE
• Medical Condition: Undiagnosed (There has been no official diagnosis for the condition causing his short stature)
• Recent Activity: Continues to use his platform to raise awareness about his life and dreams, including his love for Iranian Kurdish music and football star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Afshin Esmaeil Ghaderzadeh, an Iranian Kurd from a village in Bukan County, West Azerbaijan Province, was officially verified as the world's shortest man living in late 2022, taking the title from Edward Niño Hernández of Colombia. His life has been one of significant physical challenge, as his small size makes it difficult for him to attend school, though he is learning to read and write with the help of his family. Despite the difficulties, Afshin is known for his joyful spirit, enjoying cartoons, social media, and connecting with people globally.

Jyoti Amge: The Shortest Woman Living

• Full Name: Jyoti Kishanji Amge
• Nationality: Indian
• Date of Birth: December 16, 1993
• Height: 62.8 cm (2 ft 0.7 in)
• Weight: Approximately 5 kg (11 lbs)
• Record Verified: December 16, 2011, on her 18th birthday
• Medical Condition: Achondroplasia
• Recent Activity: Remains active in the public eye, notably meeting the world's tallest woman, Rumeysa Gelgi, in 2024, and participating in elections in India.

Jyoti Amge has held her title for over a decade, becoming an international celebrity and actress, most famously appearing in the television series American Horror Story: Freak Show. Her condition, Achondroplasia, is the most common form of skeletal dysplasia, a genetic disorder that hinders the growth of bone and cartilage. Despite being fragile, Jyoti lives a vibrant life, traveling and continuing her career in entertainment, demonstrating incredible resilience and a powerful spirit.

The All-Time Record: Shortest Man Ever Recorded

While Afshin Ghaderzadeh and Jyoti Amge hold the current living titles, the record for the shortest person in history—male or female—belongs to a man whose height was less than half of a typical adult.

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Chandra Bahadur Dangi: The Ultimate Record Holder

The undisputed record for the shortest man ever verified by Guinness World Records belongs to Chandra Bahadur Dangi from Nepal. His extraordinary height of just 54.6 cm (21.5 in) made him shorter than an average two-year-old child. Dangi was 72 years old when he was officially measured in 2012, living a secluded life in a remote village until his record-breaking discovery. His story brought global attention to his village and to the challenges faced by people with extreme short stature.

Dangi's record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon, as his height represents an extreme outlier even among those with various forms of dwarfism. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most iconic figures in the history of human records.

Understanding the Medical Conditions Behind Extreme Short Stature

The phenomenon of extreme short stature is a complex medical issue, typically categorized as dwarfism, which is a medical term for hundreds of conditions that affect bone and cartilage growth. The conditions that lead to the world's shortest people are often rare and severe, falling under the umbrella of skeletal dysplasia.

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Key Medical Entities and Conditions:

• Achondroplasia: The most common form of short-limbed dwarfism, as seen in Jyoti Amge. It is a genetic disorder affecting the conversion of cartilage to bone.
• Primordial Dwarfism: A group of rare disorders characterized by small body size beginning in the womb, resulting in a proportional dwarfism. While the cause of Afshin Ghaderzadeh's height is undiagnosed, some of the shortest people in history have had this condition.
• Skeletal Dysplasia: A general term for over 400 conditions that result in problems with bone and cartilage growth, leading to short stature.
• Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD): A hormonal cause where the pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone, which can be treated if caught early.
• Turner Syndrome: A genetic condition affecting females, often resulting in short stature and developmental issues.
• Noonan Syndrome: Another genetic disorder that can cause short stature, along with distinctive facial features and heart defects.

For individuals like Afshin and Jyoti, their condition requires constant medical attention and adaptation. Simple daily tasks, from using a phone to opening a door, require custom-made solutions. Afshin, for instance, struggles with carrying heavy objects and even walking long distances, yet he has found a passion for expressing himself through social media and is learning to overcome these obstacles with the support of his family.

The Global Impact of the Shortest People

The record holders for the shortest person on earth serve as powerful symbols of human diversity and strength. Their stories transcend the novelty of a world record, sparking global conversations about disability, accessibility, and acceptance. Jyoti Amge’s success in acting has broken stereotypes, while Afshin Ghaderzadeh’s journey has highlighted the socio-economic challenges faced by those with rare conditions in remote areas.

Their visibility, amplified by platforms like Guinness World Records, provides a vital educational opportunity. They raise awareness for conditions like Achondroplasia and other forms of skeletal dysplasia, encouraging research and fostering a more inclusive society where people of all sizes can thrive. Their courage in sharing their lives with the world is a testament to the fact that a small stature can be accompanied by an enormous spirit.