Martial Arts in the United States: Current Participation Rate and Analysis

According to the most recent data available, approximately 3-4% of the U.S. population practices martial arts. This percentage can vary based on factors such as age, region, and specific styles of martial arts. The participation rate may change over time due to trends in fitness and self-defense.

Current Participation Data

At any given time, up to 3-7 million people in the U.S. practice martial arts consistently. This represents roughly 2% of the population, which is higher than expected. Additionally, up to 5% of the population may try martial arts at least once a year.

The U.S. is home to the highest number of self-defense schools in the world, making it likely that the proportion of martial artists in the U.S. is the highest globally. However, it is essential to consider that not all martial arts disciplines are included in the statistics. Forms of martial arts such as boxing, fencing, and collegiate wrestling are considered sports rather than martial arts.

Specific Data Points

The most current data from 2022-23 was collected by a third-party data collection agency over the last 13 years. According to the guidelines, a person is considered a "practicing martial artist" if they have had either:

20 hours of one-on-one training within a six-month period 40-50 hours of group or class training within a six-month period, with the last class being within the past 12 months.

This data specifically focuses on individuals actively practicing martial arts. A 10th-degree black belt who teaches classes but does not attend them would still be considered a practicing martial artist. Conversely, a 10th-degree black belt who has not taught or attended a class for over 12 months would not be considered a practicing martial artist.

Comparison with Canada

According to an old survey, about 0.3% of Canadian athletes, including 0.3% for karate, participated in martial arts. However, it is notable that karate is treated as a distinct category. This small percentage, compared to the millions in the U.S., highlights the differences in martial arts participation across the continent.

Considerations and Limitations

Several considerations should be kept in mind when interpreting this data:

Definition of Martial Arts: Activities like boxing, fencing, and collegiate wrestling are considered sports rather than martial arts. Definition of Practicing: Participation is defined as having either 20 hours of one-on-one training or 40-50 hours of group/class training within a six-month period, with the last class within the last 12 months. Data Source: The data is comprehensive and has been collected over the last 13 years, providing a reliable trend analysis.

While there isn't a comprehensive answer for the exact number of practicing martial artists in the U.S., the most current data suggests a range of 2-4%. This highlights the importance of staying updated with the latest surveys and studies to understand the evolving trends in martial arts participation in the United States.