10 Top Mustache-Dense Nations

Friday, December 30, 2011

The way men all over the globe model and don their facial hair varies slightly with every region and is largely governed by cultural and religious influences. Moustaches are often considered a mark of manhood, pride or masculinity. AskMen’s list of the top ten mustache-dense countries enlightens us on the global density of the mustache trend.

India
India
Moustaches hold great cultural significance in India and are considered a mark of masculinity. With a population in excess of 1 billion and an estimated 80 percent of mustached males in southern India, the country is most definitely one of the top moustache-dense nations in the world.

Mexico
Mexico
The origin of the Mexican moustache culture may lie in the mingling of cultures after the Spanish Conquest of the region in the 16th century. It is speculated that because moustaches were uncommon among the natives, the progress brought by the Spanish rule may have caused them to be deemed somewhat of a status symbol.
Pakistan
Pakistan
The significance of growing moustaches is one of many cultural similarities between Pakistan and India. A vast majority of famous Pakistani figures – sportsmen, politicians, presidents and prime ministers – have had moustaches. A prominent example would be the revered national poet Mohammed Iqbal.
Germany
Germany
Moustaches are considered a symbol of pride in Germany. The country is home to several eminent mustached men the likes of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and Albert Einstein and is one of the most avid and prominent participant countries in the World Beard and Moustache Championships.
Iran
Iran
The abundance of Iranian men sporting facial hair can be credited to a mix of religious and cultural influences. Soccer star Ali Daei, the ayatollah and the current president are among prominent local figures that don full beards or sport moustaches.
Egypt
Egypt
Facial hair is a norm in most Muslim-majority nations owing, only in part, to religious influences. Egypt has the most populous Muslim community among African countries. Prominent Egyptian politicians and government officials the likes of President Nasser and President Anwar El Sadat have donned moustaches.
Turkey
Turkey
The number of clean-shaven Turkish men has increased since Turkey’s endeavors to delve deeper into European economy. However, facial hair still remains an integral part of the Turkish culture.
United States of America
United States
It is estimated that there are currently around 10 million mustached men in America. At the World Beard and Moustache Championships held in Anchorage, Alaska, in May 2009, USA topped the medal table, securing a medal in every single moustache competition.
Hungary
Hungary
The popularity of the moustache trend in Hungary can be highlighted by the fact that the country has its own category of facial hair in the World Beard and Moustache Championships called The Hungarian or “Wild West” moustache.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s moustache dense population may be credited to past Soviet Union influence. The country’s culture may have changed slightly in the past few years but the moustache trend has sustained, landing Bulgaria a spot on this list.

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