Average Hair Length by Country 2024

How a person styles their hair, including the length they choose, is a highly personal decision that's influenced by a variety of personal and social factors. However, there are some interesting trends when it comes to average hair length from one country to another.

To begin, it's vital to define what's considered "long hair." For women, this generally includes hair below the shoulders, while for men, it's typically somewhat shorter. Short hair can typically be considered under 2 inches for men and 3-4 inches for women. However, acceptable hair lengths can vary significantly by country based on culture, religion, and other lifestyle factors.

The world's longest hair is generally accepted to belong to women who are members of China's Red Yao Tribe. Most women traditionally only cut their hair once in their lifetimes at age 18. Some can grow hair up to six feet long. Other nearby countries in Southeast Asia, like India, may also encourage women to grow longer-than-average hair. In addition, Mbalantu women from the African nation of Angola have been noted for their long, healthy hair.

Some countries likely on the shorter side of the average hair length list are those with compulsory military service, like Israel and South Korea. Culturally, nations in the Americas and Western Europe tend to have shorter hair (particularly among men), though this has relaxed somewhat in recent decades. Some interpretations of Islamic customs also dictate shorter hair.

Overall, it's vital to remember that these are all estimates, as there's no definitive data on hair length. Hair length is a private decision, and neither those giving nor receiving haircuts typically have an authoritative record of how long the hair is. While there are notable trends and tendencies in some nations and regions, this is likely one of the characteristics with lower-than-average variation around the world.