Power Distance
Leans egalitarian
40
/ 120
North America
United States Hofstede Cultural Dimensions
United States has its highest Hofstede score in Individualism (91) and its lowest score in Long-Term Orientation (26). This profile within North America shows how authority, identity, risk, time orientation, competition, and self-expression combine in one national cultural snapshot.
At a glance
Dimension Scores at a Glance
Individualism
Very individualist
91
/ 120
Masculinity
Moderate masculinity
62
/ 120
Uncertainty Avoidance
Moderate uncertainty avoidance
46
/ 120
Long-Term Orientation
Very short-term oriented
26
/ 120
Indulgence
High indulgence
68
/ 120
Practical implications
What This Means
Business
United States business analysis should start with the country score pattern rather than a single dimension. Its strongest signal is Individualism (91), so negotiations, planning, and leadership expectations should be read through that lens. Lower uncertainty avoidance can make experimentation and flexible execution easier to discuss.
Education
For education and student research, United States is useful for comparing how cultural values shape classroom authority, group work, time horizons, and motivation. A lower power distance score suggests more participative classroom expectations may be plausible. Higher individualism points toward personal initiative and individual achievement.
Society
For social analysis, the profile helps explain broad patterns without reducing people to a score. A lower long-term orientation can place more weight on tradition, present obligations, and faster visible outcomes. The lowest score, Long-Term Orientation (26), is just as important because it shows where the country leans away from the high pole of the model.
Each dimension in context
Dimension Deep Dive
Power Distance
United States scores 40 on Power Distance, ranking #175 of 200 in the ClassWrites Hofstede dataset. That is 25.9 points below the global average and 4.3 points below the North America regional average.
A leans egalitarian profile on this dimension points toward flatter authority, consultation, and easier access to decision makers. In practical analysis, this dimension is useful because it connects broad values to visible patterns in workplaces, classrooms, public institutions, and family expectations.
Use Power Distance as a comparison signal, not a stereotype. Hofstede scores describe national-level tendencies; individuals and organizations inside United States can differ sharply by region, class, generation, profession, and local history.
Individualism
United States scores 91 on Individualism, ranking #1 of 203 in the ClassWrites Hofstede dataset. That is 56 points above the global average and 9.7 points above the North America regional average.
A very individualist profile on this dimension points toward personal autonomy, individual accountability, and direct expression of preferences. In practical analysis, this dimension is useful because it connects broad values to visible patterns in workplaces, classrooms, public institutions, and family expectations.
Use Individualism as a comparison signal, not a stereotype. Hofstede scores describe national-level tendencies; individuals and organizations inside United States can differ sharply by region, class, generation, profession, and local history.
Masculinity
United States scores 62 on Masculinity, ranking #20 of 194 in the ClassWrites Hofstede dataset. That is 12.8 points above the global average and 9 points above the North America regional average.
A moderate masculinity profile on this dimension points toward competition, performance, ambition, and visible achievement. In practical analysis, this dimension is useful because it connects broad values to visible patterns in workplaces, classrooms, public institutions, and family expectations.
Use Masculinity as a comparison signal, not a stereotype. Hofstede scores describe national-level tendencies; individuals and organizations inside United States can differ sharply by region, class, generation, profession, and local history.
Uncertainty Avoidance
United States scores 46 on Uncertainty Avoidance, ranking #172 of 205 in the ClassWrites Hofstede dataset. That is 14 points below the global average and 5.3 points below the North America regional average.
A moderate uncertainty avoidance profile on this dimension points toward comfort with ambiguity, experimentation, and lighter rule systems. In practical analysis, this dimension is useful because it connects broad values to visible patterns in workplaces, classrooms, public institutions, and family expectations.
Use Uncertainty Avoidance as a comparison signal, not a stereotype. Hofstede scores describe national-level tendencies; individuals and organizations inside United States can differ sharply by region, class, generation, profession, and local history.
Long-Term Orientation
United States scores 26 on Long-Term Orientation, ranking #112 of 196 in the ClassWrites Hofstede dataset. That is 10.6 points below the global average and 5 points below the North America regional average.
A very short-term oriented profile on this dimension points toward respect for tradition, quick visible outcomes, and present social obligations. In practical analysis, this dimension is useful because it connects broad values to visible patterns in workplaces, classrooms, public institutions, and family expectations.
Use Long-Term Orientation as a comparison signal, not a stereotype. Hofstede scores describe national-level tendencies; individuals and organizations inside United States can differ sharply by region, class, generation, profession, and local history.
Indulgence
United States scores 68 on Indulgence, ranking #37 of 193 in the ClassWrites Hofstede dataset. That is 20.1 points above the global average and aligned with the North America regional average.
A high indulgence profile on this dimension points toward leisure, optimism, self-expression, and greater freedom to enjoy life. In practical analysis, this dimension is useful because it connects broad values to visible patterns in workplaces, classrooms, public institutions, and family expectations.
Use Indulgence as a comparison signal, not a stereotype. Hofstede scores describe national-level tendencies; individuals and organizations inside United States can differ sharply by region, class, generation, profession, and local history.
Snapshot
Key Facts
- United States has a high Individualism score of 91, ranking #1 of 203.
- United States has a low Long-Term Orientation score of 26, ranking #112 of 196.
- United States has a high Indulgence score of 68, ranking #37 of 193.
- United States has a high Masculinity score of 62, ranking #20 of 194.
Frequently asked questions
Questions About United States's Cultural Profile
What is United States's Hofstede cultural dimensions profile?
United States has its highest Hofstede score in Individualism (91) and its lowest score in Long-Term Orientation (26). This profile within North America shows how authority, identity, risk, time orientation, competition, and self-expression combine in one national cultural snapshot.
Which Hofstede dimension is highest in United States?
United States's highest available score is Individualism at 91.
Which Hofstede dimension is lowest in United States?
United States's lowest available score is Long-Term Orientation at 26.
Should Hofstede scores be used as stereotypes?
No. Hofstede scores are national-level comparison tools. They can frame research questions, but they should not be used to predict every individual, organization, or community within a country.
How to read these scores: Scores range from 0 to 120. A score above 50 means the country leans toward the high end of that dimension; below 50 means it leans toward the low end. These are national-level tendencies, not individual labels.
Source: Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J., & Minkov, M. (2010). Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
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