How Common Is Narcissism? Facts, Statistics, and Myths

Narcissism is one of the most discussed psychological concepts of recent years. Many people ask: Is narcissism more common today than in the past? How many people actually have narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)? Or is this just an effect of social media and cultural change?

In this article, we’ll explore how common narcissism really is, what the statistics say, and why it seems to be increasingly visible in modern society.

What Is Narcissism?

Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by:

• a strong sense of self-importance,

• the need for admiration,

• self-centered thinking,

• limited empathy toward others.

Importantly, narcissism has two sides:

• Healthy narcissism - essential for self-confidence, goal achievement, and setting boundaries.

• Pathological narcissism - known as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), which makes it difficult to build healthy relationships and function in society.
  

How Common Is Narcissism? Statistics

Psychological and psychiatric studies show that:

• Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) affects about 0.5-1% of the general population.

• In clinical groups (patients seeking therapy), the percentage is higher - up to 6% of psychiatric patients may meet the criteria for NPD.

• Research suggests that men are slightly more likely than women to display narcissistic traits.

• Young adults tend to score higher on narcissism than older generations – possibly due to social media culture, the pressure to self-promote, and the pursuit of success.

Is Narcissism Really Increasing?

Experts emphasize that narcissism is not necessarily becoming more common, but:

• it is more visible today due to platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and other social media,

• self-promotion is often mistaken for pathological narcissism,

• growing psychological awareness makes people more likely to identify and label these traits.

In other words, narcissism has always existed, but modern culture gives it more room to be expressed.

Everyday Narcissism

Mild narcissistic traits can appear in everyone. For example:

• wanting to be recognized,

• sharing achievements with others,

• seeking social approval.

These traits are normal and even healthy in moderation. Only when they become extreme and damaging can we speak of a disorder.

Balancing self-care and narcissism: Understanding the importance of personal well-being without tipping into self-centeredness.

Conclusion - How Common Is Narcissism?

• Pathological narcissism (NPD) is rare, affecting around 1% of the population.

• Narcissistic traits are, however, very common in varying degrees among most people.

• Today, we notice narcissism more often due to social media culture and increased awareness.

Want to understand where narcissism comes from? Read our in-depth article: “Is Narcissism Genetic? From Genes to Environment – A Complete Overview” and discover how both genes and environment shape this personality trait. If you want to learn more about narcissistic personality disorder, see more articles on our blog.