Martial Arts Class Statistics | Numbers & Facts About Self Defense Classes

The world we live in is generally a safe place, especially if you follow basic precautions and don't involve yourself in dangerous activities.

However, we would be lying if we said any person or persons are invincible to danger. You could live in the most safe country in the world or the most affluent neighborhood in your city, and crime can still happen to you.

One way many women and men are staying safe is by learning how to defend themselves through martial arts and self defense classes.

While we all have our opinions about certain topics, numbers don't lie. In this article, we are going to throw out over 49 statistics and numbers about everything related to martial arts and self defense classes to give you the cold hard facts about how prevalent it is and how many people are reaping the benefits of regular training.

Martial Arts and Self Defense Class Statistics

According to a report by IBIS World, the martial arts industry generates $4 billion in revenue annually in the United States alone (as of 2021).
Martial arts classes have gained significant popularity worldwide. According to a study conducted by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) in the United States, there were over 6.9 million participants in martial arts classes in the year 2020.
In a survey of over 1,000 American adults conducted by the Martial Arts Industry Association, 72% of respondents said they believe martial arts training makes people better equipped to defend themselves.
Another study found that adults who trained in martial arts had better reaction times and hand-eye coordination than those who did not train in martial arts.
The length of time the average student studies martial arts varies depending on the individual's goals, dedication, and the martial arts style they are studying. However, it is common for students to train for at least two to three years to earn a black belt in many martial arts styles. Many martial arts practitioners agree that after one (1) year if consistent training, many students will feel more confident in their ability to defend themselves and will have learned real-life skills to fight off an attacker.
In a survey conducted by the National Sporting Goods Association, martial arts was ranked as the 7th most popular form of exercise in the United States in 2020.
According to the same survey by the Martial Arts Industry Association mentioned earlier, the average martial arts school has 121 students and generates $177,000 in revenue annually.
Self-defense classes have also grown in popularity, with a 200% increase in Google searches for "self-defense classes" in the United States from 2018 to 2021.
In a survey of over 1,000 American women conducted by the fitness app SWEAT, 72% of respondents said they feel safer knowing self-defense.
A study published in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine found that martial arts training can improve cardiovascular health and reduce body fat percentage.
The same study also found that martial arts training can improve balance and flexibility in older adults, potentially reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that participation in martial arts was associated with lower levels of aggression and higher levels of self-control in adolescent boys.
In a survey of over 2,000 martial arts school owners conducted by the Martial Arts Industry Association, the most popular martial arts styles taught in the United States were ranked as follows: (1) karate, (2) taekwondo, (3) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, (4) kickboxing, and (5) mixed martial arts (MMA).
The same survey found that 67% of martial arts school owners reported that their students are evenly split between male and female, indicating that martial arts classes are becoming more inclusive and accessible to people of all genders.
A study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence found that women who had taken a self-defense class were less likely to experience physical or sexual assault than women who had not taken such a class.
In a survey of over 1,000 American adults conducted by the Martial Arts Industry Association, 89% of respondents said they believe that martial arts training can help people develop discipline and self-control.
The same survey also found that 85% of respondents said they believe that martial arts training can help people build confidence and improve their self-esteem.
According to a study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, regular martial arts training can lead to improvements in muscle strength, flexibility, and overall physical fitness.
A survey conducted by the National Sporting Goods Association revealed that martial arts participation among children aged 6-17 has steadily increased over the years, with approximately 1.8 million children participating in martial arts in 2020.
A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that self-defense training programs have a positive impact on participants' self-esteem, assertiveness, and feelings of personal safety.
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) states that self-defense training can be an effective tool in empowering individuals to protect themselves, potentially reducing the likelihood of sexual assault.
In a study published in the Journal of Human Kinetics, martial arts training was found to have positive psychological effects, including stress reduction, improved mood, and increased self-confidence.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2020, about 47% of violent victimizations reported to the police involved an offender using a weapon, emphasizing the importance of self-defense training.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that individuals who participate in martial arts or self-defense classes have higher levels of perceived control over their personal safety.
The National Self-Defense Institute states that it takes an average of three to six months of consistent training to develop basic self-defense skills, but mastery and proficiency require continuous practice and learning.
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation reported that there were over 100,000 registered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners worldwide as of 2021.
The Global Martial Arts Market Report estimated that the global martial arts market size will reach $13.8 billion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2020 to 2027.
A study published in the Journal of Injury Prevention found that individuals who received formal self-defense training were 60-80% less likely to experience physical assault compared to those who did not receive training.
The National Crime Victimization Survey conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that approximately 8% of all violent victimizations in the United States involved self-defense actions by the victim.
A survey conducted by the National Safety Council found that 60% of respondents believed that self-defense training is important for personal safety.
The American Krav Maga Federation reported that over 500,000 people in the United States have trained in Krav Maga, a self-defense system developed for the Israel Defense Forces.
The Global Burden of Disease Study estimated that in 2019, interpersonal violence accounted for approximately 7.6% of all disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost worldwide.
A survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that self-defense classes were among the top three strategies recommended by college students for preventing sexual assault on campus.
The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) reported that it has over 200 member countries and approximately 30 million practitioners worldwide.
A study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence found that women who participated in a self-defense training program had a 46% lower risk of experiencing a completed rape compared to women who did not participate.
The Global Study on Homicide by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that in 2019, the global homicide rate was 6.1 per 100,000 population.
The Martial Arts Industry Association reported that the average martial arts school has a student retention rate of around 70%.
A survey conducted by the National Institute of Justice found that 81% of women who took self-defense classes felt more confident in their ability to defend themselves.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that in 2019, robbery accounted for approximately 14% of all recorded violent crimes globally.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology found that children who participated in martial arts showed significant improvements in self-regulation skills compared to children who did not participate.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in the United States, the rate of non-fatal assault-related injuries treated in emergency departments is approximately 300 per 100,000 population.