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.
And finally here’s a much more detailed map by state and subdivision level where available in 2015:
To learn more read:
- Circumcision: A History Of The World’s Most Controversial Surgery
- Marked in Your Flesh: Circumcision from Ancient Judea to Modern America
- Circumcision: How an Ancient Ritual Became a Questionable Surgery
Have an opinion on male circumcision? Please leave your comments below (but do keep it civil):
נועם טל says
thank you for your map! i copied it with your link so i hope you do not mind? let me know please see https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1430868600564737&set=a.1398441323807465.1073741828.100009248324970&type=1
נועם טל says
thank you for your map, i will post again [cuz i do not see the first] i copied your map with your link and hope you do not mind, let me know.
נועם טל says
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
PACOBRUSSELS says
Hi. Circumcision is evil.
Even some jews reject it:
http://www.jewishcircumcision.org
נועם טל says
okay i agree with you paco.
Justin Perez says
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
נועם טל says
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.
Beverly Euler says
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!!!
Jason Stillwell says
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!
Stephen says
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?
Stephen says
Do they discuss their sex lives with you? a bit creepy.
Carlos Guerro Moyano says
You know how your sons, grandsons, and great grandsons feel during sex? What sort of weird family do you come from? Also it just sounds like you’re jaded because of a bad relationship rather than any sort of actual data.
John K says
You seem to link your failed marriage and your ex’s husband lacking hygiene on all circumcised men? How ignorant. As a woman you should be extra careful about this topic given that it concerns a body part that you never had. The few men I’ve discussed this topic with say that either they would prefer not having had a circumcision or are satisfied but I have yet to know of an uncircumcised man that would prefer to have been circumcised. Now if hygiene was such a big problem for them how do you explain that away? You sound like another self-entitled woman with a creepy understanding of your grandsons sex lives.
Patrick Carlin says
Circumcision is prevalent in Judeo-Christian cultures or Old Testament imitating ones, such as Muslims.
נועם טל says
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.
coip says
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.
Greg Hartley says
Well said!
Alejandro says
I see the majority of America in red, and middle East in blue, I don’t understand the title of the post
Sharon says
The article refers to the United States, not all of America. The US is blue.
That Guy says
The colors for this map are backwards. Circumcised should be in red, not blue. (And vice-versa.)
allison says
No. Blue corresponds with high prevalence, and that matches what we see on the map.
allison says
Any religion which advocates child abuse is objectively evil. There is no argument.
Lana Rufferd says
There is no reason for circumcision that is not based on misinformation or predatory beliefs. Why are adults parents of all people obsessed with the sex appeal of their infants penis? There is no good reason basic hygiene is necessary for uncircumcised and circumcised. This map shows humanity is moving backwards
Marjaana says
Poor kids! My grandson’s roommate almost bled to death and what for?
Even worse for the girls, horrific!
Pepe Gomez says
Why do jews continue to circumcise their sons?
Because ignorance is bris.