Why do some people go bald sooner than others? Is there a connection between hair loss and where you come from, or at least where your ancestors are from? In this series of several articles, we will discuss hair loss data from countries, and hair loss data by popular ethnicities.
Beyond the Fallout
First, it’s important to know that losing around 80 to 150 strands of hair per day is normal for everyone. This happens because our hair follicles go through cycles of growth and rest. However, when men start to notice thinning on the top of their heads and see hair falling out regularly, it can be a cause for concern. The reason behind baldness is not simply hair falling out; it’s a genetic condition called male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia. This condition affects over 95% of the men who experience hair loss, making it the largest factor by far.
Androgenic alopecia occurs when hair follicles become sensitive to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Once this sensitivity starts, usually in the late twenties or early thirties (depending upon ethnicity), DHT binds to androgen receptors on the hair follicles, causing them to weaken and produce progressively thinner hair strands. Eventually, the growth phase of the hair cycle becomes shorter, and the follicles stop growing hair altogether. While it’s recently become possible to prevent the progression of androgenic alopecia with the right treatment, once the follicles stop growing hair, the damage is permanent and cannot be reversed.
The Norwood Scale is a diagram that shows the typical progression of androgenic alopecia. It demonstrates that hair loss often happens in distinct patterns, but not everyone follows these patterns. Some men experience different patterns, and others have a gradual thinning across the top of the head called “diffused unpatterned alopecia.” However, regardless of the pattern, if the hair loss continues to its advanced stage, baldness will usually occur on the top of the head, from the hairline above the forehead to the back of the skull. As we age, our bodies tend to produce lower levels of DHT, and the rate of hair loss progression slows down. That’s why not everyone with androgenic alopecia becomes completely bald.
My Country ‘Tis of Thee
Now, let’s address the question of which country has the most bald men by percentage. Not every country is included in the research, and the list below consists of countries with a population of at least 40 million. According to the studies, the Czech Republic has the highest percentage of bald men, with almost 43% experiencing hair loss.
- Czech Republic – 43% of men
- Spain – 42.6%
- Germany – 41.24%
- France – 39.24%
- United Kingdom – 39.23%
- USA – 39.04%
- Italy – 39.01%
- Poland – 38.84%
- The Netherlands – 37.93%
- Canada – 37.42%
- Russia – 32.39%
From these figures, it may seem that Europeans are more likely to go bald. However, it’s important to note that hair loss is not solely determined by where you live but mainly by your genetic makeup. So while data showing which countries produce the most bald men does give researchers clues, the modern world has become so diverse that a country now has a much smaller population of true natives than it did thousands of years ago. Data by country also can help point to external factors like environmental conditions (weather, poverty, etc.), but cannot necessarily pinpoint exact reasons behind balding.
A study called Psychological Effect, Pathophysiology, and Management of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men revealed that Caucasian men are more likely to be affected by androgenic alopecia, while Asians are least affected. Therefore, ethnicity plays a significant role in determining the risk of developing androgenic alopecia. Future studies may contain fascinating insight into how many generations of a particular ethnic group continue to experience baldness even after leaving their homeland.
Geographical Clues?
Researchers in some studies have found that generally, the closer the population is to the Mediterranean Sea, the higher the rates of male pattern baldness. A definitive reason has not been given, and more data is needed. Nevertheless, East Asians are farthest from the Mediterranean region and also have the lowest rate of baldness, which does not seem to be an accident at first glance.
It’s crucial to understand a few key points from this information:
- Around 80% of males will experience androgenic alopecia at some point in their lives, while a condition called Alopecia Areata affects less than 2% of individuals.
- Hair loss occurs because hair grows progressively thinner until it stops growing altogether, not merely because it falls out.
- Androgenic alopecia can also affect women, with 40% experiencing female pattern hair loss by the time menopause begins.
- Androgenic alopecia is a progressive condition unless treated. Once the hair follicles stop growing hair, the damage is permanent, and the remaining treatment is hair transplantation.
Hair loss is a common issue that affects both men and women worldwide. While the severity may vary, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Genetic factors, which are linked to ethnicity, are the primary cause of hair loss. Different ethnic groups have varying rates of hair loss, hair types, and hair growth rates, which we will cover here in future discussions. If you would like more information about hair loss or hair restoration, set up a consultation with Advanced Medical Hair Institute.
