There are considerable variations in the bathing habits of those who live in different countries. What we perceive and deem as typical or even sanitary may have a great deal to do with where we live.
Here is a look a few bathing habits by country, including baths versus showers and considerations like frequency. From the most showered country in the world (Brazil) to the most commonly bathed country (the UK), we all have our preferences. Most importantly, however, is that we all stay clean - whatever that looks like in your country.
Brazil
When it comes to showers, Brazil is the leader of the pack, and the cleanest. While only 7% of Brazilians take a bath, 99% report taking weekly showers. How many showers? On average, Brazilians take two showers a day or 14 showers a week.
Although there is undoubtedly a cleanliness aspect of these frequent showers, the humid Brazilian climate also plays a role in the shower frequency for Brazilians. Studies have also suggested that more frequent showers or a preference for showering is also more common in such warm-climate regions.
Those in the UK don't shower nearly as often as Brazilians, with only 83% reporting taking weekly showers. Few, if any, as previously mentioned, however, bathe as often as those in the UK, with 32% preferring to take baths over showers. That is more than four times as many people in Brazil.
Like most bathing habits by country, there are more than a few variables that come into play and that have an impact on why, what, when, and how people bathe. For people of a notably refined society, it also seems somehow appropriate that UK residents would choose to enjoy a hot tea with their baths.
Residents of Germany find themselves somewhere in the middle of the pack when it comes to bathing habits. 92% of people who live in Germany take showers, while 20% opt for bathing options. That also puts Germany in the top tier for both baths and showers, and one of the cleaner countries in the world too.
The bathing habits of China unsurprisingly favor showers (85%) versus the 11% of Chinese residents who bathe. With the known population concerns in China, showering is easily the most cost effective and easiest method of bathing.
USA
In the land of freedom, the choice is clearly a preference for showering in the United States, with a reported 90% choosing showers over baths. The 13% of Americans who do prefer bathing, however, still makes the US one of the most bathed countries in the world.
FAQs
According to research conducted by Kantar Worldpanel, Brazil's the keenest country when it comes to hopping in the shower. On average, they shower 14 times a week - to put that into context, the average for the rest of the world sits at five. And for those wondering, most of us Brits take six a week.
Which country bathes the most? ›
According to research conducted by Kantar Worldpanel, Brazil's the keenest country when it comes to hopping in the shower. On average, they shower 14 times a week - to put that into context, the average for the rest of the world sits at five. And for those wondering, most of us Brits take six a week.
Which cultures don t bathe daily? ›
Meanwhile, people living in Japan, the UK, and China shower less frequently, coming in at around 5 showers a week. It wasn't always this way. This daily shower, some might say, obsession was virtually unheard of just 100 years ago.
How often do people shower in Italy? ›
The personal shower is an action that everyone does at least once a week, 42% every day, 93% at least 2 or 3 times. For Italians it is better to have two bathrooms with two showers rather than one with a bathtub.
How often do Scandinavians shower? ›
In Sweden the average seem to be 5.5 times per week. För många är en varm dusch ett avkopplande sätt att starta eller avslu*ta dagen på. Något som kan leda till en hög vattenkonsumtion.
What culture bathes the least? ›
When counting people who shower every day, Mexicans and Australians led significantly, followed by Americans and the French. Brits, Russians, Swedes and Germans averaged less, with Chinese coming in the least frequent.
What country has the lowest hygiene? ›
Niger is the country with the least access to sanitation services worldwide. In 2022, some 65 percent of Nigerien population still defecated in the open. This was followed by neighboring country Chad, where about 63 percent of the people defecated in the open.
How often do Russians shower? ›
In Russia many people take shower once a week. This tradition has a long history when in villages people had to collect water, then heat the bath and the water. It was impractical to do every day. Those who live in rural area probably continue having bath once a week.
How often do Mexicans shower? ›
Download Table Data
| Country | People Who Take At Least One Shower Per Week | Average Showers per Week |
|---|
| Mexico | 90% | 8 |
| China | 85% | 6 |
| United Kingdom | 83% | 6 |
| France | 76% | 7 |
9 more rowsIn the US, the daily shower tends to start around puberty and becomes lifelong. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself why? Perhaps your answer is: "because it's healthier than showering less often." Think again. For many — perhaps most — the daily shower is more about habit and societal norms than health.
An Ifop survey* found that 76% of people in France wash completely “at least once a day”, versus just 53% who said the same in Italy.
How often do Germans shower? ›
One in ten Germans showers once a week
Italy and Germany are the shower skimpers of Europe. One in ten Germans showers just once a week or less. In France, people shower most frequently, with 7% of respondents doing so several times a day and 64% once a day.
How often do Chinese shower? ›
in fact, as for people from different parts of China, the answer will be different. Generally speaking, People from the south take showers about three or four times a week, while People from the North take showers a little bit less frequently than those from the south.
Which ethnicity showers the most? ›
According to research conducted by Kantar Worldpanel, Brazil's the keenest country when it comes to hopping in the shower. On average, they shower 14 times a week - to put that into context, the average for the rest of the world sits at five. And for those wondering, most of us Brits take six a week.
How often should you shower in America? ›
Generally, she says "you should be showering, bathing or cleansing yourself every two to three days." Though, if you're working out or engaging in an activity where you are sweating a lot, you may have to shower more often.
How often do Vikings shower? ›
Vikings also bathed at least once a week—much more frequently than other Europeans of their day—and enjoyed dips in natural hot springs.
Do Japanese bathe daily? ›
Japanese people like bathing very much. Tokyo Gas Inc. investigated the bathing style of 2600 people (15–75 years) in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and reported that 85.7% of people liked soaking in a hot water bathtub [7]. Approximately 70% of people take a bath daily in the winter.
Which country has the best shower water? ›
The Full list Of Countries With The Cleanest Water On Earth
- Norway.
- Switzerland.
- Luxembourg.
- Austria.
- United Kingdom.
- Germany.
- Sweden.
- Greenland.
81% of America's Largest Cities Prefer the Bath
And, since the first installations were in the homes of the wealthy, the tub soon became a status symbol for the aspirational classes. It is now the most popular 'proper wash' format in 81 out of America's 100 biggest cities. Again, rarity value may be at play.
