Average Breast Cup Size Statistics [2024 Data by Country, Age, BMI]

What’s the most common boob size out there? Does breast size vary by country, age, and body type? And what causes big breasts, anyway?

If you’ve been asking any of these questions, or anything related to breasts, you’ve come to the right place.

In the following article, we’ve searched through a pile of statistics, research papers, and scientific journals to bring you the most accurate and up-to-date numbers on average breast sizes, the world’s largest cup sizes, and everything else related to the size of breasts from around the world.

Let’s dive in!

Average Breast Size – Key Statistics

• 56% of a woman’s breast size is inherited.
• 26% of American women are unhappy with their breasts.
• 16% of European women are unsatisfied with their size.
• 54% of men and 60% of women prefer the look of an average-sized pair of breasts.
• 70% of 2000 respondents say they are satisfied with their partner’s breast size.
• An average B-cup breast weighs 448 grams or 0.98 pounds.
• An average woman’s breasts make up roughly 3.5% of her total body fat.
• Women in the United States and Europe are thought to have some of the biggest breasts.
• On average, Southeast Asia and Central African women are believed to have the smallest breasts.
• The average natural breast size ranges between an A and C cup based on the US bra size system.
• 1% of the adult female population in North America has breast implants.
• Some studies have found a link between larger breasts and women with higher IQs.
• B cup is considered the most common natural breast size in the US.
• Between 1992 and 2003, the average US cup size increased from 34B to 34DD.
• Body mass index is linked to breast size.
• Women with smaller waists and larger breast have been shown to have better fertility than women with larger waistlines and smaller breasts.
• Women with either asymmetric breasts or those who aren’t satisfied with their bust size are more likely to suffer from poor self-esteem and other mental health problems.
• 12.4% of all women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
• There is a link between smaller breast size and an increased risk of cancer.
• And yet another study concluded breast size as a positive predictor of breast cancer in postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79, who were particularly lean when younger.
• Globally, breast augmentation is the most common procedure, accounting for more than 17% of all plastic surgeries.
• Gigantomastia is a rare medical condition that causes breasts to become extremely large.

What Is The Most Common Size Of Breasts?

Breast size varies drastically from one woman to another.

It’s essential to understand the link between size and how women perceive themselves, others, and how they are perceived.

Therefore, because each pair of breasts is unique and size varies so much between women, no single measure can be considered “common” or “normal.”

Also, we found that:

• 80% of women are likely to wear a bra with the wrong size cup due to taking improper measurements or buying a bra based on chest size rather than cup size.

In other words, many women in the subsequent studies may have reported their size based on their bra rather than their actual measurements.

What Is The Average Natural Breast Cup Size?

• The average natural breast size ranges between an A and C cup based on the US bra size system.
• A B cup is considered the most common natural breast size in the US.
• Between 1992 and 2003, the average US cup size increased from 34B to 34DD, likely linked to an increase in obesity and breast augmentation surgeries performed nationwide.
• On average, women in Italy, Spain, and Germany wear a B cup.
• On average, women in the UK, Poland, and France measure as a C cup.

But what about the smallest bra size? Or the biggest cup size in bras?

• 28AA is often the smallest bra size available from most retailers.
• Some specialist shops can produce bras as small as a AAA cup size.
• Bra sizes range from A to J or K, depending on the measurement system used.
• There are six different bra sizing systems used around the world.
• Most women with breasts larger than a D or E cup should consult a specialist bra maker to obtain a bra that fits properly and provides adequate support.

Are Small And Large Breasts Normal?

• Breasts come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes.
• Small and large breasts are entirely normal so long as they do not cause unusual pain or discomfort and do not show any signs of disfiguration, hard lumps or nodules, or other cancer symptoms.

What Causes Extremely Large Breasts?

Breast size is most accurately linked and predicted by a woman’s genetics. However, other factors can cause huge breasts.

For example:

• Gigantomastia is a rare medical condition that causes breasts to become extremely large.
• Women with gigantomastia have more than 5 pounds of breast tissue or breast tissue that equals more than 3% of their total weight.
• Only 300 cases of gigantomastia have ever been recorded.
• Body mass index is linked to breast size.
• Women generally have larger breasts in countries where obesity runs rampant.
• Hormonal changes, medications, and autoimmune diseases can cause larger bust sizes.

Are Bigger Breasts Healthier?

No conclusive studies support the idea that larger breasts are healthier.

However, there are some surprising links between breast size, IQ, fertility, and mental health.

• Some studies have found a link between larger breasts and women with higher IQs.
• Women with smaller waists and larger ta-tas have been shown to have better fertility than women with larger waistlines and smaller breasts.
• Women with either asymmetric breasts or those who aren’t satisfied with their bust size are more likely to suffer from poor self-esteem and other mental health problems.

Are There Any Links Between Breast Size And Breast Cancer?

An estimated 12.4% of all women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point.

And although cancer treatments have come a long way, and recovery is possible, being diagnosed with cancer of the breasts is a severe concern for many women.

To date, no conclusive studies link breast size with an increased risk of cancer. However, studies have sometimes shown contradicting results.

For example:

• One study found no statistical correlation between breast size in Chinese women and the risk of developing cancer.
• And in obese women, there has also been no link between cup size and breast cancer.
• However, other studies have concluded that a link exists between smaller breast size and an increased risk of cancer.
• And yet another study concluded breast size as a positive predictor of breast cancer in postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79, who were particularly lean when younger.

Regardless, factors other than size can lead to an increased risk of breast cancer.

And today, in many parts of the world, breast cancer is consistently the most common cancer in women.

• Breast size is not included on most causational or cancer risk lists.
• However, there is a link between breast density, not size, and increased cancer risk.
• In the United States, between 2011 and 2015, 126 of 100,000 were newly diagnosed with breast cancer.
• In 2018, an estimated 40,920 women died from breast cancer in the United States.
• Menstruation age, family medical history, age, BMI, alcohol and tobacco use, exercise, diet, and even working night shift have been linked to the early onset of breast cancer.
• There is no link between abortion and breast cancer.
• Premenopausal women who don’t wear a bra are 50% less likely to develop breast cancer.

What Is A Good Breast Cup Size?

Because of the variety of breast sizes in the world, what is considered a good size boils down to preference.

What one person considers a reasonable size will almost always differ from what the next person thinks.

However:

• 74% of American women are happy with their breasts.
• 84% of European women are satisfied with their size.
• 54% of men and 60% of women prefer the look of an average-sized pair of breasts.
• Roughly 50% of men and women say they prefer a C cup.
• Just under 20% of men and 26% of women prefer a B cup.
• Only 18% of men and 14% of women prefer a D cup.
• Less than 1% of men and women prefer larger, DDD breasts.
• Ideal size often varies significantly from any country’s average breast size.
• Study participants in Poland and Romania say they prefer breasts one cup smaller than the national average.

What Is The Average Weight Of A Woman’s Breast?

• On average, a single A cup-sized breast weighs just over 236 grams or about 0.52 pounds.
• An average B-cup breast weighs 448 grams or 0.98 pounds.
• C cups, on average, weigh about 531 grams, or 1.17 pounds each.
• D cups, on average, weigh 760 grams each, or 1.67 pounds.
• E cups can weigh as much as 1 kilogram per breast.

What Percentage Of A Woman’s Weight Is In Breasts?

• An average woman’s breasts make up roughly 3.5% of her total body fat.
• At most, 12% of a woman’s sex-specific weight can be attributed to her breasts.

Does Breast Size Matter?

In short, breast size doesn’t matter.

However, size is often closely linked to a woman’s quality of life, how she perceives herself and other women, and how her partners see her.

• 70% of 2000 respondents say they are satisfied with their partner’s breast size.
• 9% say they are dissatisfied with their partner’s bust size.
• 20% say they have a neutral opinion toward their partner’s breasts.

Do Cup Sizes Vary By Country?

As we’ve seen above, women from different nationalities have different average breast sizes.

And although much about a woman’s bust size is defined by her genetics, the link between bust size and body weight is one of the primary reasons for the drastic differences we see in size from one country to the next.

For example:

• Women in regions such as Southeast Asia and Central Africa are generally more slender, have lower BMIs, and have smaller average breast sizes.
• The body burns more calories in warmer regions to keep its core temperature down.
• This results in more fat being burned, and less fatty tissue is allowed to accumulate on a woman’s chest.

What Country Has The Biggest Average Breast Size?

• Women in the United States and Europe are thought to have some of the biggest breasts.
• On average, Southeast Asia and Central African women are believed to have the smallest breasts.

Breast Size Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ

How Common Is Breast Augmentation Surgery?

• In 2021, The Aesthetic Society reported:
  • A total of 365,000 breast augmentation procedures.
  • One hundred forty-eight thousand women had implants removed and replaced.
  • Seventy-one thousand women had implants removed and not replaced.
• Globally, breast augmentation is the most common procedure, accounting for more than 17% of all plastic surgeries.
• Between one and two million women in North America have breast implants, representing roughly 1% of the adult female population.

Does Breast Size Increase After Marriage?

• No studies show any conclusive evidence that breasts increase in size after marriage.
• However, breasts increase in size when a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding, which may be where the myth came from.

Can Push-Up Bras Increase Breast Size?

• Push-up bras do not increase breast size permanently.

What Causes Small Breast Size?

• Women with smaller bodies and lower BMIs generally have smaller breasts.
• Genetics is the most significant contributing factor to breast size.
• Roughly 56% of a woman’s breast size is inherited.

Do Breasts Get Bigger As You Age?

• Breast development begins when a woman first enters puberty.
• After puberty, a woman’s breast size generally remains the same throughout adulthood.
• However, hormonal changes, medications, and other factors can cause breasts to change in both shape and size over time.

Does Breast Size Increase After Intimacy?

• Due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow, a woman’s breasts may swell in size when aroused and temporarily after intimacy.

Do Women’s Breasts Get Bigger With Weight?

• Studies have shown a link between women with higher body fat percentages and women with larger breasts.

Do Women’s Breasts Get Bigger With Exercise?

• Although the muscles below the breasts may grow, exercising does not contribute to increased cup size.
• Exercising can lower a woman’s BMI, which can cause breasts to become more petite and lean.

By Popular Demand: How to Increase Breast Size

Here are six methods that have the potential to increase breast size.

Method 1: Natural Creams, Gels And Pills

Breast growth creams, gels and pills,  are widely available without prescription on the open market. The majority of these supplements contain natural ingredients that claim to stimulate estrogen production, and plump out the fatty tissue of breasts. Estrogen is the hormone responsible for producing breast growth in teenage girls, and regulates hormones throughout their reproductive lives. When estrogen, and to a lesser extent, testosterone, fail, breast growth does not occur.

Natural creams, gels, and pill supplements are not classed as medicines, because they do not induce glandular changes which could increase the chances of tumor development. If they did cause glandular changes on this scale, they would be subject to rigorous medical tests before being made available to the public. As natural creams, gels and pills are simply supplements, they rely on commercial testing by their manufacturers. There is no scientific evidence that suggests natural supplements can cause breast enlargement, although there is lots of subjective evidence produced by independent manufacturers.

Natural breast-enhancing supplements often contain ingredients such as fennel, black cohosh, saw palmetto, wild yam and kava, which have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat women’s illnesses, such as menopause. It is important to check each brand for claims and ingredients before use, so there is a clear awareness of what the body is absorbing internally and externally.

There are no noted side effects associated with natural creams, gels and pills, although breast feeding and pregnant women are advised against their use, as effects on unborn children are unknown. This warning is standard with all alternative medicines, and should always be adhered to.

Method 2: Medications

• Contraceptive Pill

Medical research indicates that some medications can increase breast size. Although no medicine exists solely to produce bigger breasts, the contraceptive pill lists breast growth as a side effect

The contraceptive pill, or the ‘pill’, is used to prevent unwanted pregnancy, and is prescribed widely. Contraceptive pills are dispensed by a doctor after a medical examination that ensures suitability, as there are other potential side-effects, such as nausea, weight gain, migraines and decreased libido. Although the pill is medically proven to increase breast size in some women, a desire for breast growth is not necessarily the right reason to take it. The contraceptive pill is a medication that alters body functions, so taking it should be carefully thought through.

• Hormone Replacement Therapy

Other medications that can increase breast size are various estrogen therapies, sometimes known as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). HRT is doctor prescribed treatment for menopausal women that ease the symptoms of hot flushing, vaginal dryness, and decreasing libido. The medication does this by supplementing new estrogens to replace those that have fallen in number with the aging process.

Menopause is a natural loss of fertility. The arrival of new estrogen hormones in a woman’s body can stimulate breast growth, sexual appetite and eradicate vaginal dryness, returning it to a younger state. Therefore is it unlikely that a doctor would prescribe HRT to a woman unhappy with breast size.

Method 3: Surgery

There is no argument that breast augmentation works, as bigger breasts are clearly evident after surgery has been performed. However, surgery comes with risks. A breast enlargement, or simpler breast uplift, is a surgical procedure requiring a general anaesthetic. Anaesthetic comes with its own risks, alongside any potential issues with the breast surgery itself.

• Saline versus Silicone

When surgery is considered an option, a choice will need to be made between silicone and saline implants. Saline implants are inserted into the breast, and once in place they are filled with sterile water, whereas silicone implants are filled with silicone gel before insertion into the breast. Many women believe that silicone implants feel more natural to the touch, because silicone gel mimics the texture of fat.

• Safety Concerns

Insertion of a foreign body into the breasts can result in rejection. This risk is lower with a reputable surgeon, but with that safety comes a high financial cost.

Another risk is scarring of the internal tissues and external skin of the breast, which may change the shape of the implants. This can result in an uneven bust and breasts with lumps. Long term breast pain can also be an issue with implants.

• Risk of Rupture

A saline implant rupture would produce a deflated breast, with the saline water absorbing into the body. A silicone rupture would be harder to identify, and may lead to a slow leakage of silicone into the body. It is not easy to identify a silicone rupture, and an MRI scan would be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

All the risks listed above would require further surgery for correction. A doctor should always be consulted about breast augmentation, as they may have details of reputable surgeons. Independent doctor recommendation is an obvious benefit to invasive cosmetic procedures, which can be risky.

Method 4: Diet and Exercise

Diet and exercise are time-consuming ways to potentially increase breast size, but they are the healthiest and cheapest options available.

• Diet

Thinner women may find that they generally have smaller breasts than their heavier counterparts. This is due to breast composition, as breasts are largely made up of fatty materials. Therefore, gaining weight may increase breast size. It’s not possible to ‘spot enlarge’ though, and extra weight may be evenly absorbed in a spread across the body. Conversely, dieting will often shrink breasts, as the fatty breast tissues are reduced in size.

There are certain foods which have been claimed to increase breast size too. These are foods that are believed by some to boost estrogen, and are often found in the natural supplements mentioned in Method 1. Alongside those supplements already listed are soya milk, beans, and seeds, which are reported to contain high levels of naturally occurring phyto-estrogens.

• Pectorals

Personal trainers and fitness instructors claim that the right type of exercise can increase breast size. This method is based around enlargement of the pectoral muscles.

Pectoral muscles sit behind the breast. When a women puts her hands together and presses, she will feel the pectoral muscles or ‘pecs’ moving. As with all regular weight-bearing exercise, constant use of the pectorals will cause them to increase in bulk. The pectorals then push the breast forward, creating larger breasts.

The best exercise to increase pectoral mass is to lie flat, with knees bent, and arms apart mimicking wings. Slowly bringing hands together above the breasts will flex the pectorals. Start slow, and build up to holding weights. Pectoral exercise can also strengthen ligaments which support the breasts, which can result in breast lift.

• Posture

Posture makes a big difference, not only to backache, but to self esteem and overall body shape. Having good posture can also make breasts appear larger as they are pushed forward. When stomach muscles are pulled in and shoulders are pressed back, the breast moves forwards and upwards giving the illusion of larger breasts.

Overall, diet and exercise may help increase breast size but only if high cardio (fat burning) exercise is avoided and muscle mass in the upper body is increased.

Method 5: Clothing

A lot of breast enhancement can be achieved with a good fitting bra and clever clothing choices.

• The Right Bra

Finding the right bra can be life-changing. Many women wear the wrong size, simply because they do not know how a bra should fit, or because they have worn a particular size for years. Breast shapes change as women age, and bra-fitting by a trained advisor should take place at least one a year, and certainly before new bras are purchased.

• How should bra fit?

Firstly the wearer should forget their size, and be measured. Most large department stores offer this service.

When fitting a new bra, the wearer should ensure that the rounded part that conceals and supports the breast (called the cup), should cover nearly all the skin, so there is no over-spill. The hooked back should not ride up during movement, and should remain in place so the band is level around the rib cage. Straps should be lengthened to suit, and they should not dig in. All breast weight should be supported by the back size, not the shoulder straps.

Once fitted with the correct-sized bra, breasts look immeasurably better. They are not necessarily bigger, but without overspill and too tight straps, breasts sit well. This transformation can cure backache and improve posture.

• Push-up bras

Push-up bras force the breasts closer together, and push them upwards and outwards. This makes the most of smaller breasts without adding volume. The straps of a push-up bra should be wide and flat, otherwise they pull on a woman’s shoulders, potentially leading to backache.

• Padded Bra

A padded bra adds volume to the breast area, rather than manipulating the breasts themselves. Padded bras have a spongy cup that can add up to a cup size, and give the illusion of a bigger bust.

Some manufacturers produce push-up padded bras which are a good choice for those with very small breasts. A good bra can transform a figure and make it possible to avoid surgery. Although push-up and padded bras are a good option for increasing bust size, they must also fit correctly.

• Dressing tricks

Certain types of clothing can give the illusion of bigger breasts, and when coupled with a well fitting bra, this alone can achieve the bust that smaller-chested women are looking for.

• Horizontal stripes

When worn on top, horizontal stripes widen the bust area – this is due to the viewer’s eye being naturally drawn across the chest area. Vertical stripes give the opposite impression and are best avoided by women looking to increase breast size.

• Embellishments

Frills, patterns, textures, and long necklaces can add volume when worn across the chest area. Logos give the impression of extra size too, as do scarves and double-breasted coats.

• Block colour

A helpful clothing trick for the illusion of bigger breasts is to wear black, or a darker colour, on the bottom half, with a bright colour on the top half. This is especially good for pear-shaped women looking to balance their shape. This is because bright colours attract the eye and give the impression there is more happening.

Method 6: Breast Vacuum Pumps

Vacuum pumps work on the principle of tissue expansion. The suction force produced by breast pumps pulls blood into the tissues, and claims to gently increase volume. This claimed expansion happens slowly over a period of time.

Vacuum breast pumps come in the form of two domes which are placed over the breasts, and an attached pumping device, which removes air from the domes – pulling breast tissue outwards.

Electronic and manual vacuum breast pumps are available. The more expensive electronic options include a computer, which applies pressure or removes it as needed. Manual hand held pumps are more basic, but they are cheaper and widely available.

Breast pumps can be time-consuming. Most require the user to wear them for 10 hours a day over a period of several weeks before results are noticeable. For those who work during the day, this may be impossible. An option is to wear them overnight, but many find them too uncomfortable to sleep in.

Manufacturers of breast pumps claim they increase skin elasticity, and improve blood circulation which in turn drains the lymph nodes. They are an option for women unwilling to take pills or use creams. However no medical scientific evidence supports their claims.

Women who are looking to increase their breast size have more choice than ever before. Expensive and risky surgery is not the only option, there are other methods that claim to produce bigger breasts, and it may be wise to try these out before embarking on a surgical procedure.

Whatever the chosen option, all risks and side effects should be thoroughly investigated, and if any doubt remains, a medical practitioner should be consulted.

Sources

• Women’s Health
• HealthShots
• Healthline
• Worlddata
• World Population Review
• ZAVA
• doi.org
• doi.org
• doi.org
• doi.org
• NCBI

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