Short communicationThe evolution of adult height across Spanish regions, 1950-1980: A new source of data

We present new evidence concerning the evolution of adult height across Spanish regions for the 1950-1980 male and female birth cohorts, using the augmented sample of the European Community Household Panel (ECHP) for Spain. This augmented sample, available only for the year 2000, contains self-reported height data representative at the Autonomous Community level. The average heights of these two sets of birth cohorts, female and male, are found to increase by 1.7 and 1.6 cm/decade, respectively. Making available a new dataset of quinquennial mean heights will allow researchers to study the determinants of population heights by means of a within-country analysis.

► A new dataset of quinquennial mean heights from the available augmented sample of the European Community Household Panel (ECHP) for Spain is made available. ► Heights of men and women increased by 1.6 and 1.7 cm/decade, respectively, during the period 1950-1980 in Spain. ► Among men and women alike, those who are relatively tall tend to achieve a higher educational attainment and to report a better health status than do the other respondents.