A collaborative study by scientists from Britain, France, and Switzerland explored which nations have the highest and lowest shares of people who prefer the left hand. The work was reported in a peer‑reviewed biology journal.
Earlier research estimated that about 10.6 percent of people worldwide favor the left hand as their dominant one.
Researchers drew on data from 422.7 thousand individuals across 41 countries, collected via the Sea Hero Quest app, a mobile game where players voluntarily share information to aid scientific discovery.
Findings show a notable concentration of left-handers in the Netherlands, with 12.95 percent. Close behind are the United Arab Emirates (12.9%), Israel (12.88%), Puerto Rico (12.3%), and the Philippines (12.21%).
On the opposite end, China records the smallest share of left-handed people, at 2.64 percent, which is roughly one quarter of the world average. Indonesia sits next at 3.39 percent, followed by Vietnam (4.26%), Hong Kong (4.85%), and Taiwan (5.16%). A pattern emerges: most countries with low left-handed percentages are located in Asia, suggesting regional influences that warrant further inquiry.
Some researchers have proposed that the low rate of left-handedness in China could be linked to school practices that encourage or require use of the right hand for writing and other tasks.
In discussing the spread of left-handedness, scientists highlight a variety of situations in which handedness may be established or shifted, including cultural norms, education systems, and early experiences with tools and activities.
Because handedness appears to be shaped by a mix of biology and environment, the study adds to a growing body of evidence about how cultures and policies can influence the expression of this human trait. The data set, drawn from thousands of participants across multiple regions, underscores regional differences while inviting deeper, longitudinal research to understand how shifts in schooling, technology, and daily life might alter these patterns over time. (Source: Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Biological Sciences)