Getting a tattoo or getting “inked” is a wildly popular form of self-expression in today’s world.
People get tattoos for a variety of reasons like self-expression, to honor a cause or loved one, or for religious purposes.
How many people have tattoos today?
That’s the topic we will be addressing in this article.
It’s likely that you at least know a few people who have tattoos, or you may have one or two of your own.
Whether you’re already inked or are considering getting a tattoo, the following statistics will be interesting and relevant to you.
We will learn about the popularity of tattoos, the prevalence of getting tattoos, and other pertinent data about tattoos.
Let’s explore the world of tattoos.
Post Contents
- 1 Key Statistics
- 2 How Many People Have Tattoos in 2024?
- 2.1 1. 32% of Americans already have a tattoo.
- 2.2 2. It’s estimated that 225 million people on the globe have at least one tattoo.
- 2.3 3. 62% of Millennial parents have tattoos.
- 2.4 4. 8 out of 10 Americans believe that society is more accepting of tattoos.
- 2.5 5. 38% of women have at least one tattoo versus 27% of men in America.
- 2.6 6. 14% of the European Union adult population say they have one or more tattoos.
- 2.7 7. The growth in getting tattooed is believed to come from celebrities and social media influence.
- 2.8 8. 38% of the American Gen X population claims to have at least one tattoo.
- 2.9 9. 39% of Black Americans say they have a tattoo.
- 2.10 10. 69% of Americans say they have a tattoo to honor or remember something or someone.
- 3 FAQs
- 4 Conclusion
Key Statistics
- 32% of Americans already have a tattoo.
- It’s estimated that 225 million people on the globe have at least one tattoo.
- 62% of Millennial parents have tattoos.
- 8 out of 10 Americans believe that society is more accepting of tattoos.
- 38% of women have at least one tattoo versus 27% of men in America.
- 14% of the European Union adult population say they have one or more tattoos.
- The growth in getting tattooed is believed to come from celebrities and social media influence.
- 38% of the American Gen X population claims to have at least one tattoo.
- 39% of Black Americans say they have a tattoo.
- 69% of Americans say they have a tattoo to honor or remember something or someone.
How Many People Have Tattoos in 2024?
1. 32% of Americans already have a tattoo.
Pew Research reported that 32% of the American population have a tattoo.
Moreover, another 22% have gotten inked more than once.
Also, two out of every ten adults under 30 years old who have never gotten a tattoo say they may eventually get one.
(Pew Research)
2. It’s estimated that 225 million people on the globe have at least one tattoo.
Globally, it’s estimated that there are 225 million people with at least one tattoo.
This estimate is based on what’s known, but not tattoos that aren’t known.
That’s why this is an estimate.
There’s no way to know for sure exactly how many people in the world have tattoos.
Some tattoos are used to identify a tribe or group of people and may not be reported.
(Gitnux Blog)
3. 62% of Millennial parents have tattoos.
According to one study, 62% of Millennial parents say they have tattoos.
You may be surprised by this data since the parents of Millennials would have scrutinized this practice when they were growing up.
However, this data shows us that Millennials are likely to break the traditional “mold”, and not just in the tattoo arena.
(YPulse)
4. 8 out of 10 Americans believe that society is more accepting of tattoos.
The United States has long been known to resist the acceptance of tattoos.
However, with society changing, this country has become more accepting of getting inked.
In fact, one study revealed that about 8 out of 10 Americans believe that society is becoming more accepting of tattoos.
Another 12% think tattoo acceptance hasn’t changed in 20 years while 7% believe American society is less accepting.
(Outlook India)
5. 38% of women have at least one tattoo versus 27% of men in America.
Data shows that 38% of American women compared with 27% of men have at least one tattoo.
This statistic shows that women are more apt to have tattoos than men.
In fact, 56% of women aged 18 to 29 and 53% of women aged 30 to 49 have at least one tattoo, according to a Pew Research study from 2022-2023.
(Pew Research)
6. 14% of the European Union adult population say they have one or more tattoos.
In the European Union, one study revealed that 14% of adults living in this region have one or more tattoos.
This shows us that tattoos aren’t just popular in the United States, but instead getting inked is popular all over the globe for various reasons.
(Gitnux Blog)
In 2019, 21% of younger people claimed to have tattoos.
Today, that figure is closer to 40% which is believed to come from the increasing popularity of inked celebrities showing their tattoos on social media.
Influencers on social media are included in this celebrity mix as they “influence” their young audience overall.
It’s believed this has contributed, at least in part, to the increase in younger generations getting inked.
(YPulse)
8. 38% of the American Gen X population claims to have at least one tattoo.
According to Pew Research and reported by Outlook India, 38% of the American Gen X population have at least one tattoo.
Gen X includes people between 30 and 49 years old.
This generation came before Millennials.
Before Gen X, 22% of Baby Boomers between 50 and 64 years old say they have tattoos.
(Outlook India)
9. 39% of Black Americans say they have a tattoo.
The African American/Black community claims 39% of the population that have tattoos.
The Hispanic/Latino community accounts for 35% of those with tattoos and 32% of Caucasian/White Americans claim to have tattoos.
The Asian community who has tattoos accounts for 14% in America.
(Pew Research)
10. 69% of Americans say they have a tattoo to honor or remember something or someone.
In America, 69% of people with tattoos say they got inked to remember or honor someone or something.
Another 47% said they got inked to make a statement and 32% said it was to improve their appearance.
Globally, people say they get tattooed as a form of self-expression.
(Pew Research)
FAQs
Does getting “inked” hurt?
Yes.
Getting a tattoo does hurt, according to those who have gotten them.
How much pain you may endure depends on your pain tolerance, the location, the complexity of the tattoo, the length of time the tattoo takes to draw, and the size of the tattoo.
Certain areas of the body will hurt more than others when getting inked.
What’s the average cost of a tattoo?
On average, tattoo artists get between $100 and $200 an hour for their specialized work.
However, the cost will depend on the size of the tattoo, the location, the complexity, and the skill and experience of the tattoo artist.
How do you care for a new tattoo?
The tattoo artist usually gives you instructions for the care and maintenance of your new tattoo, but here are some of the most common after care tips:
1. Keep it dry and clean.
2. Don’t soak the tattoo under water.
3. Put ointment on the tattoo several times each day.
4. Don’t pick at or scratch the tattooed area or tattoo.
5. Wear loose-fitting apparel over your tattoo.
What are some risks of getting a tattoo?
We think everyone considering getting inked should know the potential risks to be as informed as possible about getting a tattoo.
Here are some risks to consider:
1. Allergic reactions to the ink (especially blue, red, green, and yellow)
2. Skin infections if you don’t take care of a new tattoo properly that can be very serious.
3. Skin issues like inflamed tissue bumps called granulomas or scar tissue called keloids.
4. Bloodborne diseases like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV may occur if the tattooing equipment isn’t properly sterilized.
5. MRI complications which can include burning or swelling of tattooed area due to the magnetic resonance imaging machine. Sometimes, tattoo pigments interfere with the image quality of an MRI.
It’s important to consider all factors related to getting a tattoo before moving forward.
Remember, tattoos are permanent and expensive to have surgically removed.
Is getting tattooed popular worldwide?
Yes.
In fact, Italy has the highest percentage of people with tattoos at 48% followed closely by Sweden where 47% of the population has tattoos.
The United States ranks third with its 46%.
Overall, the global tattoo industry was valued at $1.89 billion (USD) in 2022 and is expected to grow to $3.92 billion (USD) by 2030.
Some reasons getting inked has become more popular include the growing acceptance of tattoos in society and the popularity among athletes, movie stars, mainstream celebrities, and influencers with tattoos.
Technically, tattoos have been popular for well over 6,000 years, but they have also fallen under scrutiny over the years.
Countries where tattoos are least accepted include Denmark, Turkey, Iran, Japan, Sri Lanka, and the UAE.
In fact, in 1966 Danes are not allowed to get tattoos on their neck, face, head, or hands where they are most visible.
Conclusion
After reading this data, you should now understand how popular getting inked is and other statistics about getting tattooed.
If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, you should be able to make an informed decision.
The kind of tattoo you choose is a personal decision that only you make.
Usually, people choose tattoos based on their own personal hobbies, likes, interests, or even for nostalgic reasons.
The data we shared shows that women, black/African Americans, and younger adults are the groups most likely to have at least one tattoo.
Do you have a tattoo?
Are you considering getting inked?
Hopefully, we have sufficiently answered the topic of how many people have tattoos in this article.
