KEY POINTS
- Topping the global chart are Spain (44.50%), Italy (44.37%), and France (44.25%)
- Western countries dominate the global hair loss statistics
- Nearly half of the top 47 countries in the report from Europe and North America
- Hair loss is a global issue, affecting diverse regions from South America to Asia
ISLAMABAD: Medical professionals in Pakistan have raised alarm over a growing hair loss, with an estimated 70% of Pakistani men affected by the time they reach middle age — and many showing signs of baldness as early as their 20s.
The phenomenon has become so widespread that it’s sparked a wave of light-hearted jokes, with many young men being mistaken for “uncles” thanks to their prematurely mature appearance.
While the baldness boom grips Pakistan, the trend isn’t isolated to South Asia. According to new data released by Medihair, a Germany-based medical research company, the highest rates of male hair loss are actually found in Western countries.
Topping the global chart are Spain (44.50%), Italy (44.37%), and France (44.25%), leading a European-heavy list that sees the West dominating nearly half of the top 50 rankings.
Still, the rapid rise of hair loss in Pakistan — affecting both men and women — has medical experts concerned. With genetics, stress, environmental factors, and poor diet all being blamed, the race is on for solutions before more youth find themselves reaching for hats or hair transplants.
30 million Pakistanis affected, but only 150 qualified surgeons available
At a recent seminar in Islamabad, the Hair Transplant Society of Pakistan revealed a shocking reality: nearly 30 million Pakistanis are battling hair loss, yet the country has only about 150 qualified hair transplant surgeons—far short of the estimated 5,000 required to meet demand.
Dr. Rana Irfan, the society’s president, highlighted that hair loss often begins as early as the 20s, affecting 20% of people in that age group, rising to 40% by their 40s and 70% by their 60s.
Alarmingly, the issue is no longer limited to men, with an increasing number of women also experiencing hair loss due to genetics, illness, and stress.
Experts warn that the shortage of certified professionals has led to a rise in unqualified practitioners offering risky procedures, putting patients in danger of severe complications, including infections and permanent scarring.
In a conversation with WE News English, Islamabad-based nutritionist and fitness coach Ayza Zardad shed light on the silent culprits behind rising hair loss among young adults.
She pointed to the overwhelming influence of social media, growing stress levels, and poor lifestyle and dietary habits as key contributors. Genetics, she added, only intensifies the problem.
According to her, a major part of the issue stems from a lack of awareness around stress management and healthy living.
“Diet is the foundation,” she emphasized, urging individuals to break free from societal trends and instead design a personalized daily routine.
By structuring their day mindfully and aligning activities with their body’s needs, people can better manage stress, detoxify their lives, and create space for physical and emotional growth.
World’s baldest nations in 2024
In 2024, new data released by Medihair—a German company specializing in hair loss treatments and transplants—reveals an eye-opening global overview of male hair loss, highlighting both regional trends and possible causes.
According to their findings, the top five countries with the highest percentage of male hair loss are all based in the Western world, with Spain topping the list at 44.50%, followed closely by Italy (44.37%) and France (44.25%).
The United States (42.68%) and Germany (41.51%) also feature prominently. In fact, Western countries make up nearly half of the 47 nations included in the report, underlining a significant concentration of hair loss in this region.
But the issue isn’t limited to the West. The data shows that male pattern baldness is a global concern, affecting countries across all continents.
From Brazil and Argentina in South America, to Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the Middle East, Japan and India in Asia, and even South Africa and Egypt in Africa—hair loss is a shared problem among diverse populations.
For example, Australia (40.80%), Canada (40.94%), and the UK (40.09%) all report high rates, while Japan (35.69%) leads among Asian countries. At the lower end of the spectrum, Indonesia records the least hair loss among men at 26.96%.
Why the West is going bald faster
So why are Western nations seemingly more affected? Several factors are believed to be at play. First, genetics—Caucasian men, particularly those of Northern European descent, are more genetically predisposed to androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness).
Second, diet and nutrient intake play critical roles. Diets rich in processed foods and low in essential nutrients like vitamins D and B12, more common in the West, are known to negatively impact hair health.
Add in lifestyle factors such as high stress, sedentary habits, and less sun exposure, and the rates begin to make more sense. Age is also a factor; Western nations typically have older populations on average, which naturally correlates with increased hair loss.
For instance, the average age of a male in the UK is 40, compared to younger populations in countries like India or Indonesia.
Ethnic origin also plays a major role, with studies showing that men from Caucasian backgrounds are far more likely to experience baldness than men of Asian or African descent.
This is linked to genetic sensitivity to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone associated with hair follicle shrinkage and hair loss. However, ethnicity is only one part of the puzzle.
Environmental and hormonal factors, lifestyle choices, and dietary habits also shape the outcomes significantly.
This is further echoed by studies such as those from World Population Review and Trip Advisor Japan.
The former highlighted high baldness rates in European nations like the Czech Republic, while the latter identified Japan as having the highest baldness rate among Asian countries. Both pointed toward diet, aging, and genetics as root causes.
While the Western world shows a higher incidence of male baldness—largely due to genetic, dietary, and lifestyle factors—the problem spans the globe.
