Research shows one-third of American adults have a tattoo (2024)

FAQs

Research shows one-third of American adults have a tattoo? ›

MINNEAPOLIS -- New research shows nearly a third of American adults have a tattoo, and almost a quarter have more than one. A Pew Research Center survey found 32% of U.S. adults are inked, and 22% have multiple tats.

And 32 percent of adults have a tattoo themselves, including 22 percent who have more than one. According to the survey, 38 percent of women have at least one tattoo, compared with 27 percent of men. This includes 56 percent of women ages 18 to 29 and 53 percent of women ages 30 to 49.

Yet, millennials and Gen Z are the two most inked generations. According to the Statista Research Department, 41% of millennials and 23% of Gen Z have at least one tattoo, as of 2021.

If anything, young people seem more likely than ever to look for a tattoo that links them to a life event and expresses their individuality. The fact that 40-year-olds are still getting their first tattoos, and tattoo popularity is driven by younger demographics, seems to say that they aren't going anywhere.

Despite this, 98% believe tattoos are more socially accepted now than in years past. Among Americans without tattoos, 27% plan to get one in the future, and 2 in 3 think more people are getting tattoos now because of the accessibility and availability of tattoo removal technology.

According to a survey conducted in 2021, 74 percent of Americans did not have a tattoo. On the other hand, 17 percent of people in the United States had more than one tattoo, while some nine percent of respondents had one.

Per Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves.” Historically, scholars have often understood this as a warning against pagan practices of mourning.

Age: Adults under 50 are especially likely to have a tattoo. Some 41% of those under 30 have at least one, as do 46% of those ages 30 to 49.

Italy, Sweden, and the US are the most tattooed nations on Earth. Now, 56% of women ages 18 to 29 and 53% of women ages 30 to 49 are tattooed in this country. The post-Christian nations went for it at the turn of the 21st century, while pagan nations went the other way.

Even when everything else about the world is in constant flux - right down to the body changes - tattoos are something that never change. This helps make tattoos more of an identity meter for millennials and so we see them a lot more than in years past.

Are tattoos going out of style in 2024? ›

Yes, tattoos will still be popular. In fact, tattoos have become more accepted in society over the past few decades, and many people now view tattoos as a form of self-expression. While tattoos were once seen as taboo, they are now seen as a form of art and are becoming more and more popular among all age groups.

Tattoos aren't going anywhere soon.

And while tattoos are an art form that continues to evolve, there are some general trends you should keep in mind when considering adding one to your body: More people are getting their first tattoo at an older age than ever before—and for good reason!

An infection might be due to contaminated ink or equipment that isn't sterilized correctly. Getting a tattoo at a studio that doesn't follow good safety steps also can raise your risk of a skin infection. Other skin problems. Sometimes an area of inflammation can form around tattoo ink.

Apparently, the smaller your tattoo, the more likely you are to regret it. We found that 63 percent of people with a tattoo smaller than the palm of their hand regret it. However, only 2 percent of people with full-sleeves or longer, regret their tattoo.

According to a national survey by Advanced Dermatology in Illinois, tattoo regret builds over time. Six months to a year after getting one, 15% of those asked said they regret getting body art. After two years, that number jumps to 51%.

Although there are few data regarding the prevalence of tattooing in adolescents, small surveys of college students (18 to 25 years of age) in the United States consistently indicate that 20 to 25 percent have tattoos [1,5,7].

A majority of women, 76 percent to be exact, have nothing but a positive reaction, saying they see you as trendy, kind, and down-to-earth. When it comes to your ink, it really just depends on location. Almost 52 percent of women dig your sleeve, 25 percent don't really care either way, and 23 percent aren't huge fans.

Italy, Sweden, and the US are the most tattooed nations on Earth. Now, 56% of women ages 18 to 29 and 53% of women ages 30 to 49 are tattooed in this country.