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Male Circumcision: One Thing That Unites America & The Middle East

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Male Circumcision Prevalence by Country

Map created by AHC300 via Wikimedia

The map above shows Male circumcision prevalence by country, according to sources from the Circumcision Reference and Commentary Service. It shows what percentage of males (of all ages) have been circumcised.

The World Health Organization estimates that roughly 30% of males worldwide have been circumcised, 2/3rds of whom are Muslim.

This can be seen very clearly in the map above, where Muslim majority countries are all in Dark Blue (prevalence above 90%). According to the data set used for the map, Afghanistan has the highest prevalence of male circumcision at 99.7%. At the other end of spectrum there are 40 countries with estimated prevalence below 0.1%.

The practice is relatively rare outside of Jewish and Muslim populations throughout Europe, India, East Asia, and South America.

Yet, the United States is an interesting outlier. Despite being roughly only 1.8% Jewish and 0.8% Muslim, it’s estimated to have a 79% male circumcision prevalence rate. Making it much more similar to to the countries of the Middle East than other countries in the “West.” Perhaps more interesting still, is that while there are many theories as to why this is the case, there is no definitive explanation.

Other interesting outliers include South Korea (83.2%) vs North Korea (0.1%) and the Philippines (92.5%). Despite neither being Muslim majority countries they both have very high prevalence rates. In both cases, it’s suspected to have been something introduced by US servicemen stationed in each country after World War Two.

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Have an opinion on male circumcision? Please leave your comments below (but do keep it civil):

Comments

  3. i comment on the colors chosen: on one hand relative to the united states where cut is common [58% according to “time magazine 2013] hence “not” circumcising seems like the stop=red light however i would prefer if the colors would be: “green”! symbolizing natural for the whole-uncut-males in the “natural state of birth” using shades of green for the degrees of prevalence- i mean dark green for rare that is china [less than one percent according to photius site, link below] india and united kingdom etc., [lighter-green for greater prevalence of male circumcision]. furthermore, the red color seems more appropriate for countries that contain “bleeding” babies in the context of male circumcision, however if that is a problem what about grey symbolizing the metal knife? gray-black for egypt etc. getting lighter as prevalence lessens. link 2006 but your map is more recent http://www.photius.com/rankings/circumcised_men_country_ranks.html

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  4. Arbrahamic cultures and religions always fighting each other and fail to see the beauty of the barbarism that is child genital cutting which unites them.

    #BeautifulStories

    Reply

    • to justin, i wish there were a way to publish the fact that the books of religion actualy teach not to circumcise when learning this issue “people should learn” that the christian holy bible instructed a commandment “do not circumcise” in first cor. chapter 7. and even the jewish bible does not truly say the word “cut” in hebrew nor does it say, neither in genesis by abraham nor in leviticus “any body part where” to do the “circumcision” until defining in the book deuteronomy “circumcise the heart”… not a cut and not genital. like trying to wear a suit that does not fit… a custom was wrongly attached to the words which do not match the ceremony.

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    • You are so ignorant and misinformed. Uncircumcised men can be disgusting if they do not practice good hygiene, two showers a day. All my sons, grandsons, and great grandsons are circumcised. They look better, feel better and have great sex. I know all the arguements about not circumcising and as a woman once married to an uncircumcised man, I can tell you never again.EVER!!!

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      • Lol. You are the one that is completely ignorant! The foreskin is there for a reason! And your complete ridiculous statements about two showers a day and better sex, etc. If it is so awesome why don’t you go get circumcised. Truth is you have no clue and completely butchered your poor children for absolutely no reason!

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      • I am disturbed that you know that your sons, grandsons and great grandsons all look better for being circumcised. Have you examined all their penises?

        Reply

    • i wish there were a way to publish the fact that the books of religion actualy teach not to circumcise when learning this issue “people should learn” that the christian holy bible instructed a commandment “do not circumcise” in first cor. chapter 7. and even the jewish bible does not truly say the word “cut” in hebrew nor does it say, neither in genesis by abraham nor in leviticus “any body part where” to do the “circumcision” until defining in the book deuteronomy “circumcise the heart”… not a cut and not genital. like trying to wear a suit that does not fit… a custom was wrongly attached to the words which do not match the ceremony.

      Reply

  6. Circumcision is a euphemism. It’s barbaric, stupid, and removes functional, erogenous tissue. When imposed on children, it’s sexual assault and should be illegal.

    Reply

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