Denmark tops a new survey as the most public-nudity-friendly European country. This acceptance manifests itself not just in policy, but in the culture of day-to-day work. The results suggest that Danes tend to be more favorable toward public nudity. Many of them have tried it on themselves.
According to the survey findings, more than half of Danes surveyed said they had been fully nude in a public place, ever. As many as 1 in 10 Danes regularly engage in public nudity, and Danes tend to not be ashamed of their nudity. In fact, 35% think it’s totally fine to get naked on non-nudist beaches. So it’s remarkable that a whopping 87% of respondents are totally at ease being nude in their home gardens. This is immense cultural acceptance of nudity in private spaces that looms large on the other end of the continuum.
The results aren’t limited to the private sphere, as Danes have become increasingly receptive to naturism in the public open countryside. Around 12% of respondents confessed to having bared all at official naturist locations, like beaches or campsites. This figure shows a remarkable tendency among Danes. They don’t just accept the arts practice of nudity, they throw themselves head-first into it.
When considering acceptance of nudity across other European countries, Denmark stands out for its extreme acceptance. So while 58% of Germans think naked rambling should be A-OK, that’s nothing compared to the Danes’ overwhelming support. And indeed, only 6% of Britons said that they had ever been naked in public—evidence of a deep cultural divide. Danes are more likely to strip down to the birthday suit in public. Indeed, they are bolder than their sisters across the pond in Britain, France, and Italy.
The survey further shows generational divides in attitudes towards nudity. More than ever, younger generations in Denmark are embracing naturism. That’s a signal that cultural norms are changing, as new attitudes move in and settle down. Overall, men in Denmark seem to feel much more positively about public nudity than women. This disparity indicates that gender dynamics play a role in the acceptance of this lifestyle.
Just 22% of Spaniards and 25% of Germans visit official nudist locations. This only serves to highlight Denmark’s distinctive place in the world as far as public nudity acceptance is concerned. Despite the differing domestic contexts, majorities in all six surveyed countries strongly agreed on one thing. They feel it’s right to get naked in dedicated naturist spaces.