Circumcision is a medical procedure that involves removing the foreskin, the tissue covering the head of the penis. It is performed for various reasons, including religious, cultural, and medical. The procedure can have health benefits, such as reducing the risk of certain infections. Circumcised men have a 50-60% lower risk of acquiring HIV through heterosexual intercourse compared to uncircumcised men.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, circumcised males have a tenfold decrease in the risk of urinary tract infections in the first year of life compared to uncircumcised males. Despite such evidence, circumcision still carries risks and is a subject of ethical debate. This practice varies widely across different cultures and countries.
Long-standing traditions and beliefs often dictate circumcision rates. According to a World Health Organization report, approximately 37-39% of males worldwide are circumcised. In many Western countries, circumcision rates have historically been high due to cultural practices and medical recommendations. However, recent trends show a decline as more people question its necessity. This shift is particularly notable in countries where circumcision was once routine, highlighting a broader trend of re-evaluating medical practices through a modern lens.
As mentioned above, circumcision is practiced for various reasons: religious requirements in Judaism and Islam, medical recommendations, and cultural traditions. Yet, in some countries, circumcision rates remain remarkably low. This can be attributed to several factors, including a lack of religious or cultural pressure, differing medical guidelines, and growing movements advocating for bodily autonomy and informed consent.
The global landscape of circumcision is changing. Countries with historically low circumcision rates provide a fascinating study of how medical practices evolve. For example, in European countries like Denmark and Finland, circumcision is not a common practice. These nations often prioritize other medical practices and have different public health perspectives. Now, these countries are also considering findings as to why circumcision existed in the first place. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, women with circumcised partners have a lower risk of cervical cancer due to the reduced prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in circumcised men.
In Asia, countries like Japan and China also have low circumcision rates. Here, the practice is not embedded in cultural or religious traditions, and there is a strong emphasis on non-invasive medical treatments. Similarly, in Latin America, many countries show low circumcision rates, reflecting a blend of cultural attitudes and medical guidelines that do not prioritize the procedure.
Differences in circumcision rates can tell us a lot about the cultural and health views of different countries. For example, in the Netherlands, circumcision rates have dropped significantly as more people debate children’s rights and medical ethics. This change reflects a significant societal shift towards valuing individual rights and questioning old practices.
Circumcision is often a sensitive and personal topic because it involves health, religion, and cultural identity. Knowing which countries have the lowest circumcision rates helps us understand the different human practices and their reasons. Looking at circumcision rates gives us insight into how various societies handle health and traditions.
In many African countries, circumcision rates are high because it’s part of important cultural traditions and health programs to reduce HIV transmission. On the other hand, countries with low circumcision rates usually don’t have these cultural or health reasons. This difference shows the complex relationship between health policies, cultural beliefs, and individual choices.
As we get into the list of 25 countries with the lowest circumcision rates, we will uncover the diverse reasons behind these statistics. From cultural traditions to modern medical practices, each country’s stance on circumcision offers a unique perspective on this age-old practice. This list not only informs us about circumcision but also reflects broader societal values and health priorities.
Whether driven by cultural traditions, medical guidelines, or personal choices, the countries with the lowest circumcision rates provide a fascinating glimpse into the diverse ways humanity navigates this personal and often controversial practice.
25 Countries With the Lowest Circumcision Rates
Methodology
In this article, 25 Countries with the lowest circumcision rates will be listed in descending order. The ranking of countries is based on the rates of reported circumcised males according to a BioMed Central Research Article and health reports.
25. Canada
Canada is ranked 25th in our list of 25 Countries with the lowest circumcision rates. Canada has experienced a decline in the circumcision rate over the years. According to the Canadian Pediatric Society, 32% of males are circumcised, with significant variability across regions. The circumcision of newborn males in Canada has become a less frequent practice over the past few decades. This change has been influenced by past recommendations from the Canadian Paediatric Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics, who affirm that the procedure is not medically required.
24. Malawi
Malawi is next in our list. Malawi is a country with a very high prevalence of HIV/ AIDS. The reasons behind this are lack of education and awareness and low circumcision rates. Only 21.6% of males are circumcised in Malawi, being a reason behind the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Emphases are placed on getting male infants circumcised to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
23. Namibia
Namibia, a country in Southern Africa, has a low circumcision rate, of 21%. According to Jhpiego, adult HIV prevalence is 13.1%, and the male circumcision rate is also low. The government of Namibia has recognized voluntary male circumcision (VMMC) as an essential component of its comprehensive strategy for HIV prevention.
22. Australia
Australia also has one the lowest circumcision rates. In Australia, circumcision rates have significantly declined over the past few decades. This trend reflects changing attitudes towards medical necessity and cultural practices. Many Australian parents now view circumcision as an unnecessary procedure, influenced by growing awareness of children’s rights and the absence of strong religious or cultural imperatives.
Additionally, medical bodies like the Australian Medical Association advise that routine infant circumcision is not essential, further contributing to the decrease in its prevalence. According to a Russell Medical report, only 20% of males are circumcised in Australia.
21. China
China is on the 21st spot in our list of countries with the lowest circumcision rates. China’s circumcision rate stands notably low at only 16.4%, reflecting cultural and medical practices that differ from many Western countries where circumcision is more common.
Traditional beliefs, medical perspectives, and the absence of routine neonatal circumcision influence this lower prevalence. Consequently, the rate remains significantly below the global average, highlighting distinct cultural and healthcare approaches within the Chinese population.
20. Botswana
According to an Insider Monkey article, Botswana has a low circumcision rate of only 15.1%. In Botswana, circumcision is not very common, with only a small number of men having the procedure. Cultural practices and medical advice usually do not recommend circumcision unless necessary for health reasons. This results in a few men in Botswana being circumcised.
19. Belgium
Belgium is ranked 19 with countries with the lowest circumcision rates. According to the National Secular Society, only 15% of Belgian males are circumcised. In Belgium, circumcision is performed on only about 15% of males.
For the majority of Belgians, circumcision is not a standard practice, reflecting broader European attitudes that prioritize natural genital integrity unless medically indicated — this cultural approach results in relatively low circumcision rates.
18. Rwanda
Rwanda is ranked 18th on our list. According to a research article that conducted a Cost-Effectiveness Study, circumcision rates in Rwanda are found to be low.
Only 15% of males are circumcised in Rwanda. This is one of the causes of the high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and infections being common. Circumcision is not a traditional practice, and awareness regarding its effectiveness in disease prevention is less known. Promotional campaigns are being organized so that infants and male adults can catch up on being circumcised as well.
17. France
According to the University of Sydney, only 14% of French men get circumcised. This low rate is influenced by cultural and medical perspectives that generally do not support the practice unless necessary for health reasons or specific religious traditions. The preference for natural anatomy aligns with broader European views, keeping circumcision uncommon.
16. Zambia
Zambia is next on our list of countries with the lowest circumcision rates. According to a research article published in BioMed Central, only 12.8% of males are circumcised in Zambia. The procedure is not widely practiced, with cultural traditions and medical advice typically not promoting it unless for health reasons. As a result, circumcision remains relatively uncommon in Zambia.
15. Russia
According to a BioMed Central research article, only 11.8% of men in Russia undergo circumcision. This low prevalence is influenced by cultural and medical norms that typically do not endorse the procedure unless it is necessary for health or religious reasons.
The practice is not a common cultural tradition in Russia, and the healthcare system does not routinely recommend it for non-medical purposes. As a result, circumcision remains relatively rare among Russian men. This rate aligns with broader trends observed in many European countries, where circumcision is not widely practiced outside of specific religious communities or unless there is a clear medical indication for the procedure.
14. Germany
In Germany, 11% of males are circumcised. Circumcision is relatively rare, with most believing that the process of circumcision is unnecessary. Cultural norms and medical guidelines typically do not endorse circumcision unless required for health or religious reasons. This preference for maintaining natural anatomy is consistent with broader European trends, resulting in low circumcision rates.
13. Zimbabwe
For the 13th spot, we have placed Zimbabwe on our list of 25 Countries with the lowest circumcision rates. In recent years, Zimbabwe has increased the prevalence of circumcision rates to fight off infections. Based on a research article published in the National Institute of Health, only 9% of males in Zimbabwe are circumcised. Circumcision is not a traditional practice, and parents do not consider it essential to make a newborn undergo such an invasive procedure
12. United Kingdom
According to a BBC report, about 9% of males in the UK are circumcised. This low figure is due to cultural norms and medical guidelines that do not typically endorse the procedure unless for specific health or religious reasons. Consequently, circumcision remains relatively uncommon among British men.
11. Japan
Japan’s circumcision rate is relatively low, estimated at around 9%. This low prevalence is mainly due to cultural norms and medical practices that do not emphasize circumcision as a routine procedure. Unlike in some Western countries, circumcision in Japan is not commonly performed for religious or preventive health reasons, resulting in a significantly lower circumcision rate within the male population.
10. Swaziland
According to an article published in the National Institute of Health, Swaziland is one of the countries with the lowest circumcision rates. According to its most recent Demographic and Health Survey, Swaziland has a male circumcision rate of 8.2%, one of the weakest among the 14 Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) priority countries.
The government of Swaziland has made initiatives to increase circumcision rates to reduce the prevalence and risk of sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer in females.
9. Switzerland
Switzerland has a circumcision rate of only 5.9% due to the belief that parents should not make such a decision. Having the autonomy to do what one wants with one’s body is thought of highly, and circumcision is considered a violation of one’s right to make changes to the body.
8. Denmark
Denmark is ranked eighth on our list of 25 countries with the lowest circumcision rates. Denmark is another European country with low circumcision rates. The rate of circumcised males is only 5.3%. This is usually because of medical or religious reasons. Circumcision is not a widely practiced tradition. Denmark is an increasingly secular country, believing it unnecessary to follow any rituals bound by tradition.
7. Sweden
According to a BioMed central article, 5.1% of males are circumcised in Sweden. Like all Christian European nations, Sweden does not practice male circumcision. Muslim and Jewish immigrants have brought their circumcision practices into Sweden. This clash of cultures has created tension and conflict between Swedish human rights principles and the blood rites of foreign religions.
6. Italy
Italy is placed in the sixth spot on our list. Italy has a low circumcision rate of about 2.6%. Circumcision is not practiced among Italy’s Roman Catholic majority. Many immigrants in Italy are Muslim and practice circumcision for cultural and religious reasons, but sometimes have trouble accessing the practice in hospitals.
For some, the hospital costs are too high. Some doctors in Italy suggest making it easy for immigrants to get circumcisions done to respect their cultural and religious beliefs.