What Percentage of People Are Hourglass? Breaking Down the Body Shape Statistics

September 21, 2025 •

4 min read

While often celebrated as the 'ideal' body shape, the naturally occurring hourglass figure is actually quite rare. Studies suggest that a relatively small percentage of women naturally possess this shape, prompting the question: What percentage of people are hourglass?

Quick Summary

Studies indicate that a relatively low percentage of women have a natural hourglass figure, with some research citing a figure as low as 8%. The exact number can vary depending on the study and measurement methodology used, but it is clear the shape is less common than other body types.

Key Points

Prevalence Varies: Depending on the study and measurement definitions, the percentage of women with a natural hourglass figure ranges from as low as 8% to around 22%.
Rarity is Key: All research suggests the natural hourglass shape is relatively uncommon compared to other body types like the rectangle or pear.
Genetics Play the Biggest Role: Your body shape is primarily determined by a combination of genetics, bone structure, and hormonal factors, not just lifestyle.
Fat Distribution Matters: Where your body stores fat is more important for health risk than the overall shape. Abdominal fat ('apple' shape) is linked to higher risk factors.
Measurements Define the Shape: An hourglass figure is defined by roughly equal bust and hip measurements and a significantly narrower waist.
Body Positivity is Paramount: Embracing your natural shape and focusing on overall health through exercise and diet is more beneficial than pursuing a specific aesthetic ideal.

The Myth and the Reality of Body Shapes

Media representation often emphasizes the hourglass silhouette, leading to a common misconception that it is a widespread or universally attainable body shape. In reality, a person's body shape is determined by a complex interplay of genetics, bone structure, hormones, and lifestyle factors. This means that for the vast majority of individuals, their natural shape falls into other categories, which are just as healthy and valid.

The Numbers Don't Lie: What Studies Show

Several anthropometric studies, which focus on human body measurements, have explored the prevalence of different body shapes. The results often cite varying figures, which is largely dependent on the methodology and population sampled.

Conflicting Statistics

One widely referenced study conducted by North Carolina State University, based on data from SizeUSA around 2005, found that only about 8% of women had an hourglass figure. This research also found that the rectangular (or 'banana') shape was the most common, accounting for 46% of women, followed by pear shapes and inverted triangles.
A more recent study mentioned by BodySpec, citing the Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, suggested a higher figure, with approximately 22% of female participants fitting the hourglass category.

This discrepancy highlights the importance of standardized measurement definitions. As noted by Wikipedia, minor changes in how measurements are taken can recategorize a significant portion of the population. Furthermore, these studies often focus on female body types, as fat distribution patterns differ significantly between sexes. Men are not typically categorized using the same fruit-based system, as their fat is more commonly distributed around the abdomen, leading to an 'apple' shape.

What Defines an Hourglass Shape?

To understand the statistics, it is crucial to know how the hourglass shape is defined. It is characterized by three key measurements: bust, waist, and hips. An hourglass figure has:

Bust and hips measurements that are nearly equal in circumference.
A waist measurement that is significantly smaller than both the bust and hips.

Specific measurement ratios can be used to determine this. For example, some experts suggest that the waist should be at least 25% smaller than the bust and hips, and the bust and hips should be within 5% of each other. A narrow waist is the most defining characteristic.

The Science Behind Your Shape: Beyond the Numbers

While the percentages offer an interesting perspective, they don't tell the whole story. Your body shape is not a choice; it's a result of multiple biological and lifestyle factors.

The Genetic Blueprint

Skeletal Structure: The foundation of your body's shape is your bone structure, which is determined by genetics and doesn't change significantly after puberty. Things like shoulder width, hip width, and torso length are largely predetermined.
Fat Storage: Your genes also dictate where your body tends to store fat. Some people are predisposed to carry weight in their midsection (apple shape), while others store it in their hips and thighs (pear shape).

Hormonal Influences

Sex Hormones: Hormones like estrogen and testosterone significantly influence fat distribution. Estrogen, for example, encourages fat storage in the hips and thighs in women, which is a key factor in creating the hourglass and pear silhouettes.
Hormonal Shifts: As people age, hormone levels change, which can alter body shape. For instance, postmenopausal women often experience a shift in fat distribution, with more weight accumulating around the abdomen, resembling an apple shape.

The Impact of Lifestyle

While you cannot fundamentally alter your bone structure, lifestyle choices can modify your body composition and size.

Diet and Exercise: Caloric intake and expenditure affect overall size. Regular exercise can build muscle mass and reduce body fat, but it won't change your basic genetic frame or where your body preferentially stores fat.
Age: Metabolism slows down with age, and muscle tissue can be lost, which can also influence body shape over time.

Body Shape Comparison Table


Feature	Hourglass	Rectangle	Pear (Triangle)	Apple (Inverted Triangle)
Bust	Proportional to hips	Similar to hips/waist	Narrower than hips	Wider than hips
Waist	Clearly defined and narrow	Not well-defined, straight	Well-defined	Less defined, wider
Hips	Proportional to bust	Similar to hips/waist	Widest part of the body	Narrower than bust
Fat Storage	Gains weight evenly	Gains weight proportionally	Lower body (hips/thighs)	Upper body (abdomen)
Prevalence	Relatively rare (8-22%)	Most common (approx. 46%)	Common (approx. 20%)	Less common (approx. 14%)

Health, Body Shape, and Fat Distribution

From a health perspective, body shape is not just about aesthetics. The distribution of body fat is a more significant indicator of health risk than the shape itself. Research shows that fat stored centrally around the abdomen (the 'apple' shape) is associated with higher risks of conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. In contrast, fat stored in the hips and thighs (the 'pear' shape) is considered a lower metabolic risk. While the hourglass shape has a narrow waist, it doesn't automatically imply perfect health. Focusing on overall fitness, diet, and a healthy body composition is more beneficial than striving for a specific aesthetic ideal.

Embracing Your Unique Shape

Regardless of where your body falls on the spectrum of shapes, celebrating your unique figure is important for positive body image. Health is determined by a multitude of factors far beyond your external silhouette. Understanding that your body shape is largely genetic can be a liberating realization, allowing you to focus on overall well-being rather than chasing an unrealistic or unattainable ideal. Instead of fixating on aesthetic ideals, focus on the function of your body and prioritize actions that make you feel strong and healthy. As health experts suggest, genetic factors can play a significant role in where your body stores fat, and understanding this is key to a healthier self-perception.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scientific studies indicate that a relatively low percentage of women naturally have an hourglass figure, with figures often cited between 8% and 22%. The exact percentage can vary based on research methods and the population studied, but it is clear the shape is not the most common.

The available research on body shape prevalence often focuses on specific populations, such as women of European or American descent. Body fat distribution patterns can vary between ethnic groups, but more systematic research is needed to accurately determine if the hourglass shape is more prevalent in certain ethnicities than others.

While diet and exercise can change your overall body size and composition, they cannot fundamentally change your bone structure or genetic fat storage patterns. You can lose weight and build muscle, which might enhance your curves, but you cannot force your body into a specific shape if it's not genetically predisposed to it.

To determine if you have an hourglass figure, you need to measure your bust, waist, and hips. An hourglass shape is defined by bust and hip measurements that are nearly equal, with a waist measurement that is significantly smaller. Some specific measurement criteria, like the waist being at least 25% smaller than the hips and bust, can be used.

Not necessarily. The aesthetic shape itself is not the best indicator of health. Rather, the distribution of fat is more important. The hourglass figure is not inherently healthier than a rectangle or pear shape. Instead, health risks are more closely linked to abdominal fat storage ('apple' shape).

The hourglass body shape is the result of genetics determining your bone structure and fat distribution patterns. Hormonal influences, particularly estrogen, also play a significant role in where fat is stored, often encouraging it in the hips and thighs in women. Your final shape is a result of these biological factors, which are largely out of your control.

No, hourglass figures come in all sizes, from thin to plus-sized. The term refers to the proportions of the body—where the shoulders and hips are balanced with a smaller waist—not the overall size. Body type is determined by proportion, not size.

The focus on the hourglass figure has historical and cultural roots, often being associated with femininity and fertility. Fashion industries have historically designed clothes with this shape in mind, influencing societal perceptions of the 'ideal' body, despite its natural rarity.