Which Countries Have the Most Left-Handed People?

On average, about 12% of the world’s population is left-handed. However, their share varies considerably from country to country.

According to World Visualized, the Netherlands has the highest proportion of left-handed people, at 13.2% of the population. Belgium and the United States share second place, each with a rate of 13.1%.

The proportion of left-handed people also depends on generational differences. Some data suggest that 6–8% of older people may have been born left-handed but learned to use their right hand in childhood, as left-handedness was often viewed as an undesirable trait in the past.

Researchers also associate left-handedness with certain thinking patterns. Some studies suggest that it may be connected with creative thinking and the ability to see the broader context of a problem. Left-handed people also stand out in the world of music.