Skateboarding is probably the most widely practiced action sport in the world as 30 to 40 million people skateboard regularly worldwide as per the most recent survey. While the number would reach up to 60 million or more if we include casual riders.
If you spend even a few minutes in a busy city, chances are you will hear it, that soft rattling sound of wheels rolling over pavement. Skateboarding has a way of showing up where you least expect it: outside schools, near shopping plazas, under bridges, and in newly built skateparks.
What started decades ago as surfers trying to recreate the feeling of riding waves on land has turned into something much bigger. It’s part sport, part art form, part community. All over the world today, from the busy streets of New York to quiet alleys in São Paulo, millions of people pick up a skateboard every week. balance, push forward, fall, get back up, and try again and that simple cycle is what keeps the culture alive.
Where is Skateboarding Most Popular in the World?
Skateboarding started in the United States, and North America still has one of the largest skate populations, about 9.3 million which is around 33–40% of the world’s skateboarders. You can see plenty of skateparks in Los Angeles, San Diego and New York. San Diego is considered to be the birthplace for skateboarding encompassing approximately 35 skate parks.
Europe comes next, where cities like Barcelona, Paris, and Berlin have become unofficial skate capitals. Barcelona, in particular, is famous for its ideal infrastructure, and iconic spots including MACBA, Sants, Mar Bella beach, and Skate Agora make Barcelona a premier destination for skateboarders in Europe.
Asia has seen some of the fastest growth in recent years. Japan has a long-standing skate culture, while India and South Korea are seeing more young riders every year. Social media has played a huge role here — one viral trick can inspire thousands to try skating.
Latin America is another strong region. Brazil has a passionate skateboarding community, and local parks are often full from morning to night.
Africa’s skate scene is smaller but growing fast. Grassroots groups in countries like South Africa, Morocco, and Ethiopia are building communities and introducing skating to younger generations.
| Country / Region | No. of Skateboarders |
| USA | 8.92 million |
| California | ~5 Million |
| Global Total | 30-40 Million |
| Country | Revenue Addition |
| USA | Largest market share globally |
| Japan | $76.85 million |
| Mexico | $33.28 million |
| UK | $46.44 million |
| France | $27.88 million |
| Canada | $20.45 million |
The People Who Made Skateboarding Famous
For many people, their first exposure to skateboarding didn’t come from a local park — it came from watching someone incredible do something impossible on four wheels.
One name stands above the rest: Tony Hawk. When he landed the 900 at the 1999 X Games, he didn’t just make sports history, he inspired millions of kids to grab a skateboard and try their first trick.
Since then, many famous other skateboarders like Nyjah Huston, Leticia Bufoni, and Yuto Horigome have helped shape the modern era of skating.
These famous skateboarders influence not only competitions but also fashion, music, and street culture. Even some famous people outside skateboarding: actors, musicians, and athletes to help keep skate culture visible by embracing the lifestyle.
From Street Sport to the Olympics
Skateboarding began in the 1950s and 60s when surfers in California wanted something to do when the ocean was flat. It stayed underground for years, growing through local communities and DIY skate spots.
By the 1990s and early 2000s, skate videos, magazines, and competitions helped skateboarding explode worldwide.
A major turning point came in 2021, when skateboarding debuted at the Tokyo Olympics. Suddenly, millions of viewers saw teenage athletes performing street tricks on a global stage. Parents who once worried about scraped knees began to see skating as a legitimate sport.
And kids watching at home? Many of them wanted a skateboard the very next day.
Male vs Female Skaters: Who is Dominating?
Skateboarding has always been a teenagers sport, and that remains true. According to the Skateboarding Census provided by the Public Skatepark Development Guide, in 2010, out of the 74,101,945 youth in America, 6,300,000 were skateboarders. That means, roughly 8.5% of American youth are skateboarders.
After the inclusion of skateboarding in the 2021 Olympics, At these games, two young Japanese female skateboarders of nineteen-year-old Sakura Yosozumi and twelve-year-old Kokona Hiraki made history to become the first ever Women’s Olympic Park Skateboarding gold and silver medalists which inspired the thousand of girls across the planet including 2020 Bronze medalist Sky Brown. In an interview with Kyodo News, Brown recalls a moment where Yosozumi encouraged her to keep going, “Sakura told me, ’You got it, Sky. We know you’re gonna make it.’ That really made me feel better”
This is the reason why the percentage of female skateboarders increased to 24% about 112,000 over the past 12 years.
Skateboarders by Age:
| Under-18 Age Skateboarders | 75% of all skateboarders |
| Male vs Female | Men 3x more likely to skate than women |
| California Skaters | More than half of all US skaters |
FAQ’s – How Many Skateboarders are There in the World?
About 35 million people skateboard regularly worldwide.
The United States leads, but countries like Brazil and Japan have large and growing communities.
Yes. Olympic exposure introduced skateboarding to new audiences worldwide.
Yes, female participation is rising quickly.
Tony Hawk remains the most recognized name globally.
