How Common is Male Pattern Baldness (MPB)?

Just how common is hair loss in men? The hair loss statistics show the unfortunate truth:

• 96% of men will lose their hair to some degree across their lifetime (Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1951)
• 42% of men between 18 and 49 have moderate to extensive hair loss, according to one study (Dermatologic Surgery, 1998)
• There are about 6.5 million male hair loss sufferers in the UK (NHS)
• Europeans are most likely to experience MPB, followed by Afro-Caribbeans (Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021)
• There are marginally fewer British men affected by hair loss than Italian, French, or German men (European Journal of Urology, 2000)

Hair Loss Statistics by Age

Hair loss affects men of different ages in different ways. Conventionally, the chance of experiencing hair loss is thought to correlate with your age. So, if you’re 50, you probably have about a 50% chance of experiencing hair loss.

But what do the scientists say?

• 16% of men between 18 and 29 have moderate to extensive hair loss, while 53% of those between 40 and 49 experience it (Dermatologic Surgery, 1998)
• Approximately 25% of men with hereditary hair loss experience thinning hair before the age of 21 (American Hair Loss Association)
  • 66% of men aged 35 will have experienced some degree of hair loss
  • 85% of men at 50 will have significantly thinner hair
• 100% of men over 80 will likely experience hair loss, according to a study conducted among Singaporean men (Singapore Medical Journal, 2000)

Causes of Hair Loss

There are many causes of hair loss. But in men, the overwhelming reason is male pattern baldness. That’s the form of inherited hair loss that develops as you age. Here are the key stats:

• 95% of male hair loss cases are caused by androgenetic alopecia (the technical term for MPB), making it the most common form of hair loss (Plastic Surgery Secrets Plus, 2010)
  • The remaining 5% make up other types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata and traction alopecia
• Genetics account for 80% of a man’s predisposition to baldness (Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2003)
• 63 genes contribute to male pattern baldness (Nature Communications, 2017)
• MPB is strongly linked to the AR gene on the X chromosome. A major study found that if you have this gene, you are twice as likely to have MPB (PLOS Genetics, 2012)

The Science of Hair Loss

What is a normal hair growth rate? And how much hair do men typically lose? Here’s what you need to know, as well as some of the key biological changes you undergo when experiencing hair loss.

• Hair grows at a rate of roughly 1 centimetre a month. The hair growth cycle lasts for 3 to 5 years (Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 2010)
• Typically, we lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day (NHS)
• Some men with MPB can go bald in less than 5 years. However, most take 15 to 25 years (British Medical Journal, 1998)
• An average rate of hair loss in men with MPB is 5% per year (Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 1991)
• During hair loss, the hair growth phase becomes shorter, and the resting phase becomes longer. As a result, the ratio of growth to rest reduces from 12:1 to 5:1 (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1993)
• MPB causes hair follicles to produce finer hairs. Usually, hairs are 0.08 mm in diameter, but with MPB, they shrink to 0.06 mm (Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 1991)

The Impacts of Hair Loss

If only the impacts of MPB were limited to your hairline, the condition would be much easier to manage. Unfortunately, hair loss can affect your wellbeing and mental health too:

• 8% of non-balding men said hair loss would affect them emotionally. However, 50% of men with mild hair loss and 75% with severe hair loss were concerned (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992)
• 62% of men agreed that hair loss affects their self-esteem, in one study (Current Medical Research and Opinion, 2005)
  • 43% said hair loss was linked to concerns about losing part of their personal attractiveness
  • 22% said hair loss had a negative effect on their social life
  • 21% reported feelings of depression
  • 38% of those not in a stable relationship reported reduced self-confidence
• 40% of men with hair loss were unsatisfied with how their doctor dealt with their problem (Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2001)

Treating Hair Loss in Men

It’s not all bad news. Hair loss can be treated. Here are some of the key stats you need on the power of hair loss treatments.

• Finasteride (sometimes sold as Propecia) is effective in 87% of men (Journal of Dermatology, 2012)
• Minoxidil (or Rogaine) has been shown to be effective in encouraging hair growth in 60% of men (Electronic Medicines Compendium)
• Combined treatment of Finasteride and Minoxidil promotes hair regrowth in over 94% of men (Dermatologic Therapy, 2015)
• Finasteride reduces the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in your bloodstream by 60%. That’s the hormone that has the most significant impact on your hair loss (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1999)
• Hair transplants are a highly effective treatment option:
  • Over 90% of surgical grafts survive in hair transplants (Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, 2010)
  • Personal satisfaction nearly doubles in men who have recently had a hair transplant (Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2019)
  • Self-esteem increases after hair transplants by 1.56 on the Face-Q scale (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018)

Key Takeaways

Male pattern baldness will affect the majority of men us throughout our lives. But these hair loss stats show that you don’t just have to let it happen. Hair loss is treatable and beatable.

Learn more about your treatment options for hair restoration here.

FAQs

What is the Average Rate of Hair Loss?

On average, men and women lose about 50 to 100 hairs a day. This is totally normal. However, if you’re suffering from male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia), hair loss will be much faster. Studies show you may lose as much as 5% of your hair per year.

What Percentage of Guys Lose Their Hair?

Studies suggest that 96% to 100% of men experience some degree of noticeable hair loss throughout their lifetime — whether general hair thinning, a receding hairline, or a balding crown.

While we've ensured that everything you read on the Health Centre is medically reviewed and approved, information presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.