One in four Australians has a tattoo Australia is experiencing growth in the proportion of people becoming 'inked'. Our latest study shows one in four Australians has a tattoo (25%) – a record high. This is up from 20% in 2018 and 19% in 2016.
Now with more skin on display, if Australians this Summer have the perception that we've become more tattooed than ever – that's because we have. Australia is experiencing a growth in the proportion if the nation becoming 'inked', with 20% of Australians in 2018 admitting they have a tattoo, a record high.
Reasons for getting a tattoo
Tattooing is most popular among Australians in the 20 to 39 year age group. According to McCrindle Research, by 2009, one in four Australians of the Gen Y group— those born between 1982 and 2001—considered having “body art” as an ideal way to celebrate their coming of age.
Not without regrets
One third (34%) of Australians with tattoos say that they regret, to some extent, getting a tattoo. One in 7 (14%) have commenced or looked into tattoo removal. “It is my ex-boyfriends initials… now means little but serves as a reminder to think and then think again before I get another tattoo.”
Tattoos have become increasingly popular recently, with an estimated 30% of the U.S. population having at least one tattoo and women being more likely to get a tattoo than men (31% vs 27%).
Given the rich history, perhaps it's not surprising that tattoos have become more and more popular once again. In part, this is because they are being worn by public figures such as celebrities, athletes, and people within the fashion industry.
Tattoos have been around for centuries, but in recent years they've become increasingly popular.
Our latest study shows one in four Australians has a tattoo (25%) – a record high. This is up from 20% in 2018 and 19% in 2016. The proportion of women with a tattoo now exceeds that of men by more than ten per cent (31% women compared to 19% men).
Words almost as popular as symbols
While for the majority (72%) of tattooed Australians their most recent tattoo was a picture or symbol, for 1 in 5 (19%) it was a phrase or a word. The biggest growth in tattoo design is in the phrase or word category which has seen a massive increase over the last few years.
Queensland is the third most inked state after NSW and Victoria, with 20 per cent of the population displaying tattoos.
The three dots tattoo is a common prison tattoo that represents “mi vida loca,” or “my crazy life.” It's not associated with any particular gang, but with the gang lifestyle itself. This tattoo is typically found on the hands or around the eyes.
According to the infographic, white and African Americans populations have just about the same percentage of tattoos (20% and 21% respectively). Hispanics, however, have a 30% rate of tattoos, far outpacing the other racial groups listed.
Australia has no national laws that make it illegal for employers to ban visible body ink in the workplace or to reject applicants because of their tattoos.
Those attracted to women saw a three-way tie between the upper back, shoulder and hips (with a 3.3 rating). The back: a top-rated tattoo location for women and men. The hip: a top-rated tattoo location for women. The upper arm: a top-rated tattoo location for men.
Who has tattoos in Australia? 14.5% of Australians have at least one tattoo. Percentage of men who have tattoos 15.4%. Percentage of women who have tattoos 13.6%.
According to a recent surveys conducted in the United States, tattoos were common the most among Millennials. Indeed, only 57 percent of young adults declared not to have any tattoos. Millennials represents that part of population born between the beginning of the 1980s and half 1990s.
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.
The symbol '1%' and the term 'One percenters' means the minority, outlaw component which compared with the 99 per cent of society which is law abiding, are the 1 per cent who are not. The '1%' patch is worn only by clubs immersed in criminality with a boast of being bad and dangerous.
You must be aged 18 or over to get a tattoo. A tattoo studio may ask for proof of age if they think you are under 18. It's illegal to tattoo a person under 18—even if your parent or guardian agrees.
According to data out of the United States, 1 in 5 adults have at least one tattoo.
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.
Tattoo placement trends in 2023 are proving to be quite creative and unique, with many people looking for ways to express themselves through body art. Colorful tattoos making a comeback is the next trend on the horizon as more individuals look for ways to make their tattoo stand out from the crowd.
Social media has played a major role in tattoo popularity
So, as everyday users become influencers, the sub-cultures they represent get put on the main stage, and it fosters acceptance for “alternative” looks.