2016 Merit Badge Rankings unveiled: These were the most and least popular

Exactly 1,919,912 merit badges were earned in 2016; First Aid accounted for 75,256 — nearly 4 percent.

That’s a lot of young men trained to assist someone in an emergency.

Swimming was second, third place went to Environmental Science, and Citizenship in the World and Citizenship in the Nation rounded out the top five.

Citizenship in the Nation is a newcomer in the top five, taking a spot previously held by Cooking, which dropped to sixth.

Here’s the complete top 10. Notice any commonality? All are Eagle-required.

1. First Aid
2. Swimming
3. Environmental Science
4. Citizenship in the World
5. Citizenship in the Nation
6. Cooking
7. Camping
8. Communication
9. Personal Fitness
10. Citizenship in the Community

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