The tattoo market - France

For several decades now, the tattoo market in France has been enjoying spectacular growth, driven by cultural mutations, societal changes and the increasing professionalization of the sector. A marginal practice just 40 years ago, tattooing has become widely democratized: in 2023, almost 1 in 5 French people (i.e. around 20% of the population) will be tattooed, compared with just 10% in 2010, a rate that puts France in the European average, although still lagging behind countries such as the United States and Italy. This phenomenon mainly concerns the 25-49 age group, women (23% tattooed, versus 15% of men), as well as the working classes (up to 38% among blue-collar workers) and low-income earners. The number of tattoo parlors in France has risen from around twenty in the 1980s to over 5,000 establishments in 2023 (NAF code 96.09Z), although a significant proportion remain illegal or undeclared. The sector is predominantly made up of small, independent studios, but the rise of franchises marks a notable development. Interest in tattooing is an enduring trend, confirmed by an analysis of Google Trends searches between 2004 and 2024, which reveals a steady growth in attention to the subject, with a seasonal peak between May and August. Tattooing is diversifying, combining personalized pieces, flash (pre-drawn) tattoos, photorealistic motifs, and restorative uses, notably thanks to innovative techniques such as 3D reconstruction of the mammary areola after mastectomy or other surgical procedures. The average cost of a tattoo is between 70 and 150 euros an hour, varying according to size, location and style, while the market for tattoo removal is growing, mainly via laser and, more rarely, surgery, with rates adapted to the size and location of the tattoo.

The sector also faces a number of challenges, including the quality of inks (many of which contain banned substances), thethere is no specific state diploma, and since 2024, tattoo artists have had to undergo compulsory training in hygiene and sanitation, renewable every 5 years. Despite this, the market is becoming increasingly professional and recognized, supported by major events such as the Tattoo Planetarium and exhibitions dedicated to this body art.