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.
Tattoo Statistics Australia Infographic Transcription:
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%.
Unless they are facial tattoos or otherwise confronting, tattoos are considered completely unremarkable. Middle aged professionals get them, though often in places that are covered or at least not prominent while in work clothes. The further north you go within Australia, the larger and more common they become.
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.
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.
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.
People between the ages of 18 to 29 years are most likely to have tattoos (38%). This statistic is significant in the context of a blog post about Tattoo Statistics as it highlights the age group that is most likely to have tattoos.
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).
Tattoos can be a form of self-care for young people
It's not just bubble baths and meditation, and 17% of young people say they get tattoos as a form of personal care. The number who say so is even higher for the tattoo loving Millennial parent demographic (25%).
The latest study shows a record high of 25% of Australians that have a tattoo. This is up from 20% in 2018 and 19% in 2016. The perception that tattoos are associated with a rebellious teen, or crime related is changing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The criteria for a tattoo to be deemed “classy” is highly subjective. However, there are styles that are more aesthetically pleasing to even the most highfalutin eye. You will want an artist that specializes in black and grey styles, and/or a tattooist with a penchant for clean minimalist lines.
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.
This is a subjective question and depends on various factors such as the size, complexity, and experience of the tattoo artist. However, as a general rule, you can expect to pay between $250 to $750 per hour for a quality tattoo in Perth. Should you ask how much a tattoo will cost in Perth?
Tattooists' salary (average) $29,000* per year (source: ato.gov.au). *Salaries vary depending on your skills and experience. Future career growth: Strong (source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au). You will be doing most of your work indoors in a specialist tattoo parlour or studio.
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.”
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 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.