Worldwide prevalence of body piercing: a literature review

Background: In developed countries, body piercing is a common practice. Due to the potential health implications, obtaining reliable estimates of this phenomenon is important. The aims of the study were to estimate the prevalence of piercings in the general population and among younger age groups worldwide, as well as to identify the settings in which piercings are typically performed. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL for relevant articles published from January 1, 2000, to February 5, 2026. Studies were included if they reported data on the prevalence of body piercings (located in body sites other than the earlobes in women) and/or the settings in which they occurred, drawn from the general population or specific age groups and students. The results were presented as percentages. Results: Of the 13,897 articles initially identified, 37 were finally included. We found a global prevalence ranging from 6.5% to 14.4% within general populations and a higher prevalence of piercing among younger individuals, especially females. The majority of the samples (65%-95.4%) reported having received their piercings at licensed parlours. Conclusions: Body piercing is a common practice, particularly among young women. Health risks related to body piercing represent a matter of concern from a public health perspective.