Whether or not you have one yourself, you agree that there is something very intriguing about tattoos. Tattoo statistics show that the taboo around body modifications, and especially tattoos, has decreased dramatically. In 2022, it is not only acceptable for employees to have tattoos, but in some industries, they even prefer it.
From their early history, tattoos have been a means of artistic expression, a way to showcase in certain cultures, and for some, a form of protest or even love for what matters to them the most. With that in mind, our team has gathered some of the most important statistics we thought you might find interesting.
Top Ten Tattoo Statistics to Get You Started
- Demographic statistics on tattoos reveal that 40% of 18-34-year-olds have one tattoo or more.
- Tattoo statistics by country reveal that 48% of people in Italy are tattooed.
- There were 21,000 tattoo parlors in 2018 in the US.
- The term “tattoo” is used in 3% of all female Tinder profiles.
- Statistics on the percentage of millennials with tattoos reveal that they are the age group most likely to have tattoos.
- Tattoo trends reveal that 33% of tattooed individuals in the US have two tattoos.
- 31.34% of men regret getting a tattoo of a name.
- Interesting tattoo stats reveal that there are countries with strict tattoo laws.
- Removal cost through PicaSure starts at $250.
- Teenage tattoo statistics reveal that 40% of individuals with tattoos got their first tattoo at 18 years of age or younger.
General Tattoo Statistics in 2022 You Should Know
Let’s get the key facts and numbers straight first. How old are those getting tattooed? Are tattoos still frowned upon at work? Just 20 years ago, one couldn’t even think of getting a visible tattoo if they wanted to land that dream high-paying job.
Fortunately, in 2022, tattoos are a part of our day-to-day lives and are no longer taboo.
1. Demographic statistics on tattoos reveal that 40% of 18-34-year-olds have one tattoo or more.
(Ipsos)
36% of those aged between 35 and 54 have at least one tattoo. In the last place are those over 55 years old, with only 16% of them having at least one tattoo.
To break it down further, 33% of those without a college degree have tattoos, while 27% of those with a degree have at least one tattoo.
These numbers are relatively obvious, considering that tattoos have recently become more acceptable in the workplace, explaining the drastic difference in age groups.
2. The latest tattoos in the workplace statistics reveal that, in the UK, 65% of employers preferred fashion designers to have tattoos.
(HRnews)
In a recent survey, HRnews asked 1,265 people in the UK if they prefer employees to have tattoos in the listed professions. 65% of those surveyed preferred tattooed employees in beauty industry careers and 25% preferred tattooed photographers.
Going into professions such as doctors, military servicemen and women, lawyers, and MPs, the numbers change drastically with less than 10% preferring tattooed employees.
3. Tattoo statistics by country reveal that 48% of people in Italy are tattooed.
(Medium)
Italy takes first place with the most tattooed population. Following closely behind is Sweden, with 47% of the population having tattoos and the US as a near runner-up with 46%.
Of all the countries the report encompasses, Israel is last with just 25% of the population with tattoos, and Turkey is nearby with 30%.
4. Stats on the percent of people with tattoos reveal that women have tattoos more than men in most countries.
(Medium)
Interestingly enough, for most of the countries listed in the report, more women than men had at least one tattoo. The differences are relatively small, as with Italy, with 49% of women and 47% of men having tattoos.
However, in countries like Greece, the difference is much more significant, with 42% of tattooed women and just 29% of tattooed men. Russia is one of the few exceptions, with only 27% of women with tattoos and 39% of men.
Other countries in the report where men had more tattoos than women are South Africa and Spain, but with a much smaller difference.
5. There were 21,000 tattoo parlors as per tattoo stats in the US.
(Tattoo School)
This is an estimate that includes all the registered and licensed tattoo parlors and body art studios that offer tattoo services in the United States. Of course, this doesn’t reflect all the practicing tattoo artists, as not all are registered or work in registered and licensed tattoo parlors.
6. Interesting tattoo stats reveal that there are countries with strict tattoo laws.
(Ink’d Soul)
While traveling the world, you should keep in mind that in some countries getting tattooed may be taboo, while other countries have strict laws only against a certain type of tattoo. Some of those are Denmark, Germany, Austria, and France.
Tattoos depicting Buddhist symbols could land you a serious fine in Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Religious reasons prevent people from getting tattooed in Iran and the United Arab Emirates, making them strictly illegal. There are restrictions on tattoos in North Korea as well, unless they depict the regime in a positive light, of course.
7. Stats on tattoos for 2019 reveal that 40% of tattooed individuals have tattoos on their forearms.
(Statista)
Of all the tattoo locations, forearm tattoos are the most popular tattoos. The second in popularity is the back at a close 39%. Hand and wrist tattoos take third place with a drop to 34%, and the upper arms are close behind at 33%. The shoulders, chest, lower leg, and foot or ankle drop to between 22% and 28%.
8. Statistics on the percentage of millennials with tattoos reveal that they are the age group most likely to have tattoos.
(Marine Agency)
This further influences employers and businesses. Whether they like it or not, more and more employers are forced to shift their views and be more accepting of tattooed employees.
As the older generation leaves the workforce, a large percent of the younger generation that replaces them will have tattoos.
9. Tattoo trends reveal that 33% of tattooed individuals in the US have two tattoos.
(Ipsos)
Although having two tattoos is the most common in the US, the average number of tattoos that a tattooed American has is four. Of all those surveyed, 17% said they have multiple tattoos, with 11% of those with multiple tattoos having ten or more, but only 1% exactly 9.
Overall, the numbers vary when it comes to the number of tattoos Americans have.
Tattoo Industry Statistics
Considering the increased popularity of tattoos, it’s not a surprise that the tattoo industry has grown dramatically over the last couple of years. With new trends, techniques, and increased interest, the industry has seen a continuous and gradual increase, 2022 not being any different. Although it is slowing down, it isn’t going to die anytime soon.
10. Tattoo statistics by year reveal that Americans have more tattoos now than they did in 2012.
(Ipsos)
The number of Americans with tattoos is gradually increasing. This shows that today, about 30% of Americans, or three in ten, have one tattoo or more. This number has increased by 9% since 2012 when the number of Americans with at least one tattoo was just 21%.
With that in mind, it’s only natural for that amount to continue increasing in the coming years as well. People are getting tattoos on their forearms, backs, faces, necks, and some even use it to mask hair loss or skin marks caused by drastic weight loss.
11. According to the tattoo industry growth statistic for tattoo artists from 2014 to 2019, there was a 6.1% increase.
(IBIS World)
Although the tattoo industry growth has been gradual over the last five years, it is expected to slow down in the upcoming years due to the overall stigma of tattoos fading. They estimate that, currently, the adoption of tattoos has nearly reached its peak. This means that the market will continue steadily and will no longer have this rapid growth in revenue.
12. Tattoo statistics worldwide reveal that, by 2024, the worldwide tattoo market will reach $110 million.
(Market Watch)
Tattoo industry news revealed that the market for 2019 was at $83 million, but it is expected to grow approximately by 5.5% within the next five years. Its growth may be gradually slowing, but it will not be stopping anytime soon, considering the continuous acceptance and even encouragement of tattoos in some industries.
13. The term “tattoo” is used in 3% of all female Tinder profiles.
(Katie Hempenius)
It turns out that, to attract a mate on Tinder and describe themselves, women like to mention their tattoos, while men focus more on mentioning their height.
14. Tattoo industry statistics reveal that the tattoo artists market size in 2018 was a little over 1.6 billion.
(IBISWorld)
In 2010, the industry was just under 1 billion and gradually grew at a steady pace. By 2015, it was just under 1.4 billion. The tattoo industry for 2018 grew, and currently, the tattoo artists market for 2020 is at just under 1.8 billion.
15. An extra small 1” by 1” tattoo can cost you anywhere between £60-£90 as per tattoo statistics from the UK.
(Inkably)
You can expect to pay upwards of £90 to £150 for a small tattoo sized 2” by 2”. Prices can reach up to £300 for 4” by 4” tattoos, while large and extra-large tattoos can cost around £700, and sometimes more, depending on the size.
The average price, however, is £130. Of course, this is the average tattoo cost, and it’s important to remember that while some artists may charge less, others may charge much more depending on their popularity.
Tattoo Regret Statistics
Of course, it’s perfectly understandable that some people who get a tattoo, especially at a young age, may one day realize that this permanent form of expression does not suit them anymore. This is where the tattoo removal industry has made leaps and bounds.
With new techniques of tattoo removal and plenty of options to erase that slight misjudgment from years ago, it offers an opportunity for anyone with a tattoo regret to fix that mistake.
16. Tattoo removal statistics reveal that the removal cost through PicaSure starts at $250.
(Flash)
The starting price can be up to $300 for a small tattoo. However, if you are looking to have a larger tattoo removed, it can reach $1,000 on average and go up considerably depending on the size.
The removal of a tattoo may require multiple treatments, can be painful, and depends on your skin color, tattoo colors, location, and how much ink was used to make the tattoo.
17. Teenage tattoo statistics reveal that 40% of individuals with tattoos got their first tattoo at 18 years of age or younger.
(Statista)
A close second were the individuals between the ages of 19 and 29, at 39%. From there, the numbers drop drastically. An average of 11% of individuals got their first tattoo when 30 to 39 years old, while only 6% got theirs when they were 40 to 49 years old.
Those that got their tattoos between 50 to 59 years old and 60 or older were 2% and 1%, respectively.
18. Statistics about tattoo removal show that it will grow by 6.5% from 2018 to 2026.
(Research and Markets)
A tattoo removal industry report reveals that the global tattoo removal market will continue to grow in the coming years. It’s expected to reach as much as $285.3 million by 2026. With tattoos being less taboo, more people today have tattoos, which reflects on the tattoo removal industry and market.
19. The latest statistics about tattoo removal reveal that most people don’t regret getting their tattoo.
(Ipsos)
Still, contrary to popular belief, most people don’t regret getting a tattoo. In fact, of those with one or more tattoos, 92% say they are pleased with their tattoo choice.
This leaves only 8% of individuals with some tattoo regret. Of everyone with tattoos, 46% had their tattoo or tattoos for more than ten years.
20. 31.34% of men regret getting a tattoo of a name.
(Casino)
On the other hand, slightly less women have the same regret, at just 24.33%. Whatever your relationship status, no matter how much you love someone, don’t forget that things can change in the blink of an eye.
21. Tattoo removal stats from 2017 show that not liking the design, and the tattoo no longer looking nice are the main reasons for removal.
(Statista)
A survey by Statista reveals that 21% of the respondents would consider tattoo removal. This is because the design or theme they have tattooed is no longer something they want on their bodies, or the tattoo has faded and no longer looks as nice as it did when they got it.
A surprising 18% revealed they would get their tattoo removed due to it representing a health risk.
Tattoo Facts
There are so many fascinating facts about tattoos, the list here really could be endless. But we chose three that we found to be most fascinating and shared them below. Find out who has the most tattoos, what will happen with your tattoos when you get older, and when tattoos first became a “thing.”
22. Fascinating facts on tattoos reveal that the oldest tattooed skin dates back to 3370 and 3100 BC.
(Wikipedia)
This tattooed skin was found on the body of two mummies discovered in Egypt, identified as Otzi. Tattooing was practiced well before the modern developments that have made it a mainstream form of artistic expression, turning our bodies into a canvas.
Nearly every ancient culture had some kind of tattooing or body modification as a part of their traditions.
23. An interesting tattoo fact is that there is a man called Lucky Diamond, who has 100% of his body tattooed.
(Tattoodo)
This earns him the title of the world’s most tattooed person. Born in 1971, he has been fascinated with tattoos from a very early age. He’s got not only the insides of his eyelids, inside the mouth, and his ears tattooed, but also his foreskin. It took over 1,000 hours under the needle to get his whole body tattooed, and hundreds of artists have added their touch to his final masterpiece.
24. Tattoo facts reveal that no matter how much you like your tattoos right now, they will not look the same as you age.
(Romper)
Many wonder what will happen when, one day, they become an old person with tattoos. Unsurprisingly, tattoos transform as we age. They will sag and stretch with the folds of your skin over time, and their color will fade. Also, they could cover skin cancer, making it difficult to catch in time. Lastly, larger tattoos do better with age than small ones.
FAQ
How many millennials have tattoos?
Approximately 47% of millennials have tattoos according to statistics from 2018. 36% of Gen X members, 13% of boomers, and just 10% of those older than them had tattoos in 2018.
Are tattoos increasing in popularity?
They have increased in popularity over the last decade, and they will continue to grow in popularity as they are no longer seen as taboo in developed countries. Some even came to consider it a fashion statement. However, there are still some countries where they are not as acceptable.
How much is the tattoo industry worth?
According to statistics from 2019, the tattoo industry was worth $83 million and continues to grow today, though more gradually than it has in the past.
The Bottom Line
Tattoos have been and will continue to be a popular way to express and, in a way, brand ourselves. Even though they were strictly cultural in the beginning, we made them part of showing our interests, artistic creativity, and views on many levels.
Tattoo statistics show that the industry growth may slow down slightly. However, with tattoos being more and more acceptable in the workplace, it’s only clear that they will continue to be a popular means of expression.
Sources
FAQs
What are some interesting statistics of tattoos? ›
30% of US college graduates have tattoos. 11% of people with tattoos in the United States belong in the age range of 50-64 years old. 15% of men and 13% of women in the US have tattoos. 36% of the US Armed Forces, including military veterans, have tattoos.
What personality types get tattoos? ›According to a study 22% (of 540 individuals) possessed at least one tattoo. Further analyses showed that, compared with non-tattooed individuals, tattooed participants had significantly higher scores on extraversion, experience seeking, need for uniqueness, and held more positive attitudes toward tattoos.
What age group has the most tattoos? ›According to a recent surveys conducted in the United States, tattoos were common the most among Millennials. Millennials represents that part of population born between the beginning of the 1980s and half 1990s.
What does Gen Z think about tattoos? ›trend report that Gen Z and Millennials are putting their own spin on self-care. It's not just bubble baths and meditation, and 17% of young people say they get tattoos as a form of personal care. The number who say so is even higher for the tattoo loving Millennial parent demographic (25%).
Why do tattoos make people more attractive? ›So many of our users are looking for someone with a bit of body art - it's clearly a turn on for both men and women.” Previous research has also found that women tend to look more favourably on men with tattoos, associating them with “good health, masculinity, aggressiveness and dominance,” according to one study.
What percentage of people find tattoos attractive? ›| Characteristic | More | No difference |
|---|---|---|
| Attractive | 16% | 48% |
| Sexy | 15% | 52% |
| Spiritual | 9% | 71% |
| Respectable | 7% | 66% |
One of the most common psychological explanations for tattoos is that they are a form of risk-taking behavior. This theory suggests that people who get tattoos are more likely to be impulsive and thrill-seeking. They may also be more likely to take other risks, such as engaging in risky sexual behaviors or using drugs.
What do tattoos say about a person psychology? ›They have found that individuals with tattoos report that they feel more attractive, stronger and more self-confident—having overcome the fear of pain. [ii] For some, tattoos seem to go deeper than just underneath the skin, creating a deep personal change, which makes him or her mentally stronger.
What does a tattoo tell about a person? ›The researchers in this study concluded that not only do those with tattoos have higher levels of need for uniqueness, sensation seeking, and thrill and adventure seeking, but they have lower levels of self-esteem, attend religious services less, and are generally much less educated than individuals who did not have ...
What age do you stop getting tattoos? ›Whether you're 40, 60, or 80 (kudos!) getting your first tattoo later in life can be a great way to celebrate your life, so don't hesitate any longer.
What is the most common tattoo people get? ›
According to SINGULART, butterflies, rose, and dragon tattoos were ranked the most common tattoos nationally.
Do tattoos make someone more attractive? ›Key points. In a study, women rated tattooed men as healthier but not more attractive than men without tattoos. Men viewed tattooed men as more attractive but not healthier than men without tattoos. Women judged men with tattoos as worse potential parents and partners than men without tattoos.
What does God say about tattoos? ›Today they're common everywhere from Maori communities in New Zealand to office parks in Ohio. But in the ancient Middle East, the writers of the Hebrew Bible forbade tattooing. Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.”
Why do so many Millennials have tattoos? ›Tattoos are an outlet for their creativity
38% of Millennials have between 1-6 tattoos, according to a Pew Research survey. Half of those with tattoos have 2-5 and 18% have 6 or more. The trend has been influenced by celebrities and influencers, and TV shows such as Miami Ink.
Tattoos breach the skin, which means that skin infections and other complications are possible, including: Allergic reactions. Tattoo dyes — especially red, green, yellow and blue dyes — can cause allergic skin reactions, such as an itchy rash at the tattoo site. This can occur even years after you get the tattoo.
What is so special about tattoos? ›Tattoos are symbolic for some. Whether it symbolizes an event from their past, an experience or emotion, or a motivational message, it makes them feel hope, inspiration and motivation. Others like tattooing their body because it boots their body confidence, and they are less critical of themselves.
Are tattoos seen as attractive? ›In a study, women rated tattooed men as healthier but not more attractive than men without tattoos. Men viewed tattooed men as more attractive but not healthier than men without tattoos. Women judged men with tattoos as worse potential parents and partners than men without tattoos.
Does tattoo impact your life? ›"Tattoos can trigger autoimmune, inflammatory conditions in the skin," Dr. Fenton says. "There have been reports of a rare condition called sarcoidosis developing even years after the tattoo." So keep an eye out for changes in your tattoo, such as bumpiness on the skin.
Are tattoos meaningful? ›Tattoos can have deep meaning, a permanent reminder of something powerful in life or an experience that cannot and should not be forgotten. Many times, tattoos can give people a feeling of empowerment, a design that inspires and reminds them of something they have overcome.
What are 3 reasons people get tattoos? ›Peer pressure, media influence, and personal expression are some of the common reasons for wearing tattoos today. The desire to be part of a group, to be accepted by one's friends or peers, can have a great influence on what a person does. Sometimes, wearing a tattoo can be a sign that you belong to a certain group.
Do educated people get tattoos? ›
10. More than 30% of people with higher levels of education have tattoos. About 32% of all students with higher levels of education have tattoos, compared to 27% of those without college degrees.
How tattoos change my life? ›Confidence: No matter your sex, age, body shape, or even race, having a tattoo is for everyone! For many people having a tattoo is a huge confidence booster. Tattoos allow a person to change their appearance in a way that fits their style, which in turn often makes them feel more confident about how they look.