Study Challenges Myths About Self-Centeredness

Summary: A large international study of more than 45,000 people shows that narcissism is a universal personality trait—not one concentrated in any single country. Although nations differed somewhat, the five highest-scoring countries were Germany, Iraq, China, Nepal, and South Korea, with the United States ranking 16th. Across all 53 countries, the same patterns emerged: young adults scored higher than older adults, and men scored higher than women.

The findings suggest that age-related declines in narcissism, and gender differences in the trait, are remarkably consistent worldwide. These results challenge assumptions about cultural influences and highlight how both biology and life experience shape self-focused tendencies.