Italy is the country with the most tattoos in the world: practically every second person (48 percent) has at least one, according to research data from the last few years. It is followed by Sweden (47%) and the United States (46%). Unlike Swedes and Americans, however, Italians would mostly have only one tattoo, while in the other two countries the average per person would rise to four.

It is women in Italy who have more tattoos than men (a trend that in turn contrasts with the pattern seen in other countries). In particular, Rome, Milan and Turin are the Italian cities with the largest number of tattoo studios. In addition, many Italians choose to get tattoos of figures linked to tradition, such as the Italian horn or the silhouette of the peninsula, creating a link between body art and national identity.