What are the most and least competitive categories in BJCP sanctioned competitions?

Question

It seems like there are a lot more entries in certain style categories (American Ale, Belgian and French Ale, Specialty Beer) and a lot fewer in others (Lager categories). A category with more entries should be objectively more difficult to win in than one with less, so it's something to consider if you want to compete in a category where you have decent odds.

You could add facts or opinions about why this is the case (e.g. lagers are arguably harder to brew than ales, hence less entries) but that might be too subjective.

Answer 1

This homebrewer's blog lists the categories with the five most and five least entries for at least the 2010-2012 NHCs. It looks like it was consistent over those years. This is the excerpt from 2012.

2012 MOST POPULAR BEER STYLE CATEGORIES

1. Stouts (cat. 13) - 630 entries or 8.7% of total

2. American Ales (cat. 10) - 603 entries or 8.3% of total

3. India Pale Ales (cat. 14) - 553 entries or 7.6% of total

4. Belgian and French Ales (cat. 16) - 491 entries or 6.8% of total

5. Belgian Strong Ales (cat. 18) - 454 entries or 6.2% of total'

2012 LEAST POPULAR BEER STYLE CATEGORIES

1. Euro Amber Lagers (cat. 3) - 158 entries or 2.2% of total

2. Dark Lagers (cat. 4) - 162 entries or 2.2% of total

3. Fruit Beers (cat. 20) - 169 entries or 2.3% of total

4. Amber Hybrid Beers (cat. 7) - 174 entries or 2.4% of total

5. Bock (cat. 5) - 195 entries or 2.7% of total