Shortest man in the world It is official. The Guinness Book of World Records declared an 18-year-old Filipino adult in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao, Philippines as the shortest man alive in the world. On June 12, 2011, Junrey Balawing was measured to be only 23.5 inches or 59.93 inchest tall, making him the smallest adult man alive. "Officially he is the world's shortest man," said Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of the Guinness Book of World Records. Balawing is shorter by two inches than the previous record holder - Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal, who was measured in 2010 at over 26 inches.