Every culture displays a unique distribution of DISC styles. While the D, I, S, and C traits appear in every population, their prevalence varies from one cultural group to another.
For example, many people assume Germans are primarily D types due to their direct communication style. However, their actual DISC distribution shows a very different story:
D = 6.6 | I = 47 | S = 18.2 | C = 28.2
Their communication style appears direct to outsiders, but this is simply a cultural norm rather than a dominance-driven behavioural trait.
Similarly, the Dutch are often perceived as straightforward and direct. Yet their DISC statistics demonstrate a balanced spread across the four styles:
D = 10.4 I = 26.7 S = 41.8 C = 21.1
Again, their communication style reflects cultural behaviour, not necessarily a D preference. Let’s look at the “mechanics” behind the DISC personality profiling.
Understanding the Mechanics Behind DISC Profiling
To interpret DISC results accurately across cultures, it is important to understand how the system works. The process can be simplified into three steps.
Step 1: Theoretical Framework
This is the foundation of the DISC system. It requires a deep understanding of the theory and overall logic behind human behavioural analysis. End users do not need full technical knowledge, but understanding what the tool can and cannot do is essential.
Step 2: Data Collection and Profile Creation
The creation of Profiles and reports is based entirely on mathematical and statistical processes. This step is completely culture-free, meaning it does not adjust or interpret behaviour through cultural bias.
Step 3: Applying the Insights
Application requires an understanding of the environment in which the data will be used. This stage is culture-bound, because interpreting behaviours accurately depends on understanding the culture the person operates in.
In simple terms:
A D score indicates a preference for D-type behaviour
But what that behaviour looks like varies by culture
A high D in Thailand does not look the same as a high D in Germany
The system only knows how individuals compare within their own cultural group
The questionnaire is designed to identify responses relative to the behavioural norms of the same culture.
DISC Statistics Across Key Regions
Asian Population:
| Language | D | I | S | C |
| Chinese | 10.6 | 15.9 | 46.2 | 27.3 |
| Korea | 12.0 | 25.5 | 40.6 | 21.9 |
| Thailand | 12.5 | 21.9 | 40.6 | 25.1 |
Australasia, UK and USA Population:
| Language | D | I | S | C |
| Australasia | 8.4 | 30.0 | 37.6 | 24.0 |
| UK | 13.1 | 28.4 | 31.8 | 26.7 |
| USA | 9.6 | 24.5 | 35.0 | 31.1 |
Although Asian populations may appear to lean heavily toward S and C traits, this perception often comes from how outsiders interpret cultural communication styles rather than from actual behavioural distributions. Within their own culture, individuals clearly recognise the four main DISC styles.
Global Data Sample
These figures are based on a 2024 random sample of 1,423,506 reports. The next global measurement update is expected at the end of the 2025 calendar year.
