Ink Across the Pond: Tattooing on the Rise in US, UK & Canada

Ink Across the Pond: Tattooing on the Rise in US, UK & Canada

United States: A Growing Industry with Personal Stories and Mixed Emotions

Roughly 30% of Americans now have at least one tattoo, and for Millennials, the figure climbs to 36%.

Women are more inked than men—38% vs. 27%—especially among younger adults (56% women aged 18–29, 53% women aged 30–49).

What motivates Americans to get inked?

69% to honor or remember someone or something.

47% as a statement of belief.

32% to improve appearance.

Tattoo regret touches nearly a quarter (24%) of tattooed Americans.

Industry growth is clear: the US tattoo market is valued at over $2.3 billion, with around 1.4 million new tattoos applied annually.

United Kingdom: From Subculture to Mainstream—and Therapy

In 2024, nearly one in three UK adults—around 14 million people—now have tattoos, marking a boom in both popularity and business.

The number of tattoo parlours has more than doubled, climbing from 1,637 to 3,394 in just ten years.

The market grew from approximately £659 million in 2023 to £702 million in 2024.

Experts highlight tattoos’ therapeutic role—offering body positivity, stress relief, and ways to process trauma like depression or PTSD.

Canada: The Quiet Growth of Tattoo Culture

Historical data from 2012 showed 22% of Canadians and 21% of Americans had at least one tattoo, with 11% in each group sporting multiple.

This growing interest in the US and UK suggests Canadian tattooing has likely surged as well—especially among younger adults—but recent figures remain sparse.