Guess Which Nationalities Love Speedos and Nude Beaches the Most?

Do you rock a Speedo-style swimsuit at the beach? According to Expedia’s 2014 Flip Flop Report, your answer might depend on which country you come from. Of the respondents, 95 percent of Brazilians approved of the skimpy swimwear, as did 94 percent of Austrians, 91 percent of Germans, and 91 percent of Spaniards. Norwegians were the shyest swimmers with only 40 percent approving of the clothing choice. (For the record, 57 percent of Americans also approved of the style.)

For the survey, Expedia questioned 11,165 adults across 24 countries in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia/New Zealand on their behaviors and preferences regarding the beach.

Unsurprisingly, nude beach-going is much more popular in Europe than elsewhere. According to the report, “28 percent of German and Austrian beach-goers report having spent a day at the beach in the buff. Worldwide, beach nudity is more common among men (18 percent) than women (6 percent.) And toplessness is a largely European phenomenon, with Austrians (49 percent), Spaniards (42 percent) and Germans (39 percent) the likeliest to take part. 12 percent was the global average for beach nudity, while 20 percent of female beach-goers worldwide have spent time topless at a beach. Asian beach-goers are typically more modest; only 2 percent of Japanese, 3 percent of South Koreans and 4 percent of Thai beach-goers have sunbathed nude.”

What do people do when they go to the beach? The top ten activities were: 

• Walking (70 percent)
• Swimming (65 percent)
• Sunbathing (53 percent)
• Reading (53 percent)
• Napping (48 percent)
• People-watching (47 percent)
• Listening to music (45 percent)
• Drinking alcohol (39 percent)
• Getting a massage/spa treatment (30 percent)
• Partying (25 percent)

Although a brave 65 percent of people swim at the beach, half of all respondents reported that they were scared of sharks in the open ocean, with Brazilians (84 percent) admitting the most to having anxiety about them.

You can read Expedia’s full Flip Flop Report for 2014 here.

What are your thoughts on Speedos, sharks, and other beach issues? Tell us in the comments!

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