Today the world of figure skating continues to grow and shine. In North America alone, there are nearly 400,000 registered figure skaters. To be precise, there are 222,890 figure skaters in the United States and there are 161,784 figure skaters in Canada.
Of course, North America only makes up a portion of figure skating across the world. In this report, we reference official and estimated skating data to understand how many skaters are practicing in 24 countries around the world today.
Method: We sourced official numbers from various skating associations and unions around the world to get official data. In instances where no official numbers were available, we calculated estimates based on club or ice rink data averaged across the world.
Let’s get started!
Where is figure skating most popular?
There are numerous countries where figure skating is celebrated and figure skaters are seen as celebrities. Whether it be in Japan, Russia, Canada, or the United States, there are dedicated figure skating fans across the globe. However, that’s not the measurement we’re focusing on here. Instead, we’re focusing on figure skating participation.
We calculated figure skating popularity based on how many figure skaters there are per capita in countries where official data was available. We found that practicing figure skating is most popular in these countries:
1. Canada (1 out of every 250 people figure skates)
2. Sweden (1 out of every 270 people figure skates)
3. Finland (1 out of every 435 people figure skates)
Which country has the most total skating rinks per person?
The following countries have the most infrastructure for youth to engage in the sport of figure skating.
1. Canada (1 skating rink per 4,924 people)
2. Finland (1 skating rink per 14,855 people)
3. Russia (1 skating rink per 21,744 people)
The most estimated outdoor rinks: Russia 5,944
The most estimated indoor rinks: Canada 2,860
Who are the biggest figure skating influencers and where are they from?
- Sasha Trusova – Russia (1.4 Million followers)
- Evgenia Medvedevа – Russia (1.3 Million followers)
- Marin Honda – Japan (1.2 Million followers)
- Evgeni Plushenko – Russia (1.1 Million followers)
- Alina Zagitova – Russia (1.1 Million followers)
- Johnny Weir – USA (885,000 followers)
- Tara Lipinski – USA (852,000 followers)
- Anna Shcherbakova – Russia (804,000 followers)
- Elladj Baldé – Canada (782,000 followers)
- Nathan Chen – USA (585,000 followers)
- Tessa Virtue – Canada (427,000 followers)
- Elizaveta Tuktamysheva – Russia (372,000 followers)
How many figure skaters are in Canada?
There are 161,784 figure skaters in Canada and approximately 2860 indoor ice rinks. Canada leads the world in estimated ice rinks per capita which provides ample opportunity for youth to learn how to skate and engage in the sport of figure skating.
How many figure skaters in the United States?
There are over 222,890 figure skaters in the United States and approximately 2055 indoor ice rinks. The United States has the second most indoor rinks in the world, behind Canada. However, unlike Canada, the popularity of figure skating varies heavily from region-to-region.
Ultimately, the total number of ice rinks provide a good opportunity for youth to engage in figure skating, especially in the northern United States.
How many figure skaters in France?
France has 22,000 figure skaters and approximately 100 regulation rinks. While France has long been an important figure in international figure skating, there has been a push for increased infrastructure to help the sport grow.
World Champion French figure skater and coach Brian Joubert highlighted this infrastructure issue when talking about skating in Vancouver Canada, saying, “In a single building, there were more ice rinks than in the entire South-West of France.” An increase in infrastructure could help the sport of figure skating continue to grow in France.
How many figure skaters in Sweden?
Sweden has 38,500 figure skaters and approximately 365 indoor ice rinks. As indicated above, Sweden’s love for figure skating is remarkable. It comes second only to Canada, with one in every 270 people actively figure skating.
How many figure skaters in Finland?
Finland has 13,000 figure skaters and an estimated 289 regulation rinks. This infrastructure ranks second to Canada on a per capita basis, with one rink for every 14, 855 people. Just as impressive, Finland ranks third in figure skaters per capita, with one out of every 435 people actively practicing figure skating.
How many figure skaters in Norway?
Norway has 7,000 figure skaters at 27 figure skating clubs across the country. There is a decent level of access to skating rinks, with approximately 45 indoor ice rinks where youth can learn to skate.
How many figure skaters in Slovakia?
Slovakia has approximately 1,350 figure skaters, making it one of the smaller figure skating associations in Europe at this time.
How many figure skaters in Germany?
Germany has 17,400 figure skaters practicing at 166 clubs across the country, according to the German Ice Skating Union. Germany has produced numerous competitive skaters across singles, pairs, ice dance and synchro disciplines.
How many figure skaters in Denmark?
There are 2,000 figure skaters in Denmark skating at approximately 20 indoor rinks.
How many figure skaters in the United Kingdom?
There are 4,250 figure skaters in the United Kingdom according to British Ice Skating. Across the country there are 61 clubs supporting these skaters. Like many skating unions and associations across the world, British Ice Skating has stated in their annual report, that they are building back from a drop in participation after 2020 and 2021 lockdowns.
Total number of figure skaters in Europe (Official data & estimates)
If we use a combination of official and estimated figure skating data available. We can see there are approximately 144,145 figure skaters in Europe, not including Russia (pictured on the global map, below). Including Russia, there are an estimated 231, 207 figure skaters in Europe.
Total number of figure skaters in the World (Official data & estimates)
Combining the available official and estimated figure skating data, there are approximately 732,833 figure skaters in the world.
This figure could vary significantly with official data from Russian, China, or Japan. However, since no official data is available for these countries, we calculated estimates based on figure skating club or ice rink data averaged across the world.
What are the different types of figure skating?
Figure skating isn’t a once-size-fits-all type of sport. Instead, there are different methods of skating that figure skaters can practice. Typically, figure skating is broken down into four categories: singles, pairs, ice dance, and synchronized skating.
Singles Skating:
Singles figure skating consists of a single skater performing jumps, spins, and step elements as part of a routine that is choreographed to music. This discipline balances athleticism with elegance and challenges skaters to create a unique and eye-catching performance.
Pairs:
Pairs figure skating is a discipline that consists of two skaters performing together in unison. A pairs figure skating performance can include side-by-side jumps, overhead lifts, throws, and death spirals. This discipline requires impeccable timing and trust between skaters in order to create a unified performance that balances graceful and athletic movements.
Ice dance:
Ice dance is a discipline that features two skaters working in unison, much like pairs skating. However, unlike pairs skating, many of the most explosive movements are absent, including jumps and spins. Instead of these more explosive movements, ice dance focuses on complex dance patterns and step sequences. Much like the name suggests, this discipline is truly about mastering the strong technical skills of dance on ice. Choreography, musicality and rhythm are all elements that are required to create a unique and compelling performance.
Synchronized skating:
Synchronized skating or “synchro” as it’s commonly referred to, is a team sport consisting of up to 20 skaters performing in unison. Much like synchronized swimming, synchro skaters must create a harmonious performance that brings the entire team together as one entity. Synchro movements can include blocks, wheels, lines, circles, intersections, lifts, movements in isolation, and more.
When can kids start figure skating?
Skating is a great skill for kids to learn at any age. Similar to most other physical literacy skills, parents have to pay attention to their children’s cues to understand when their child might be ready to begin skating.
Many parents may choose to wait until their child can run and play confidently. This may mean waiting until the ages of 4 – 7 years old, depending on the child. Other parents may begin taking children on the ice with skating aid trainers before the age of 2 years old.
Most children will simply learn to walk on the ice with skates when they begin. With the youngest skaters, this tendency to “walk on ice” will persist for some time as they develop their balance, trust and strength on their skates. But, as long as they’re having fun and they’re wearing the right protective gear, taking these first steps can be a great way to foster a love for spending time at the rink.
Is figure skating just for kids?
No way! Adult figure skating is a growing sport in many places across the world. While most older figure skaters skate for recreation, some compete into their seventies, eighties and even nineties!
Check out this short documentary about former professional skater Yvonne Dowlen who was figure skating five days a week at 90 years old:
Call for official figure skating data
Do you have official data for a skating union or association we haven’t listed? Or, do you believe you have more accurate data than one of the estimates we’ve produced? Please feel free to get in touch.
Reach out to us at info@uplifterinc.com and share your data in the body of your email.
We look forward to hearing from you!
