It's estimated that 1-60% of the world's population has naturally curly hair. This wide range highlights the variability in hair types and the challenges of pinpointing an exact number.
Understanding Curly Hair
Curly hair is a broad term encompassing a wide range of curl patterns, from loose waves to tight coils. Here’s a breakdown:
- Wavy Hair: Can shrink up to 5% from its true length.
- Curly Hair: Can shrink up to 30% from its true length.
- Coily Hair: Can shrink up to 75% from its true length.
The degree of curl is influenced by the shape of the hair follicle and the angle at which the hair grows from the scalp. Additionally, even within one person's head, there can be multiple curl textures present, as stated in the provided reference: "Even though you have one curl dominantly throughout your head, doesn't mean it's the only texture."
Why the Range is So Broad
Determining an exact percentage is difficult because:
- Subjectivity: What one person considers wavy, another may consider curly.
- Global Variations: Hair texture varies significantly among different ethnicities and regions.
- Data Collection Challenges: Gathering accurate statistics on hair types from every corner of the globe is incredibly difficult.
Key Insights
- The percentage of people with curly hair is significant, however the exact number is impossible to calculate, based on current available data.
- Curly hair’s shrinkage varies widely depending on the curl pattern.
- Individual hair can feature multiple textures.
While it's impossible to provide an exact number due to the wide range and complexities in data collection, the information provided provides a good general overview of natural curly hair prevalence worldwide.