Most Common Eye Colors


4/28/2024 7:06 AM
Different eye colors close-up

The human eye is a unique feature of each individual, akin to a fingerprint. No two people share the exact same shape, color, and appearance of their eyes. The variety of eye colors, from brown to green, adds to our individual uniqueness. But which eye colors are most common, and which are the rarest?

Brown Eyes

Dominating globally, brown eyes are estimated to be present in about 70-90% of the world's population. This eye color has the highest amount of melanin, providing natural protection against the sun.

Brown eyes

Hazel Eyes

Hazel eyes, characterized by a mix of gold, brown, or green flecks around the edges, have significant but not the highest amount of melanin. They represent a beautiful mosaic of eye colors.

Hazel eyes

Blue Eyes

Blue eyes are found in approximately 8% of the global population. A genetic mutation thousands of years ago led to the development of this eye color, which researchers believe can be traced back to a single ancestor.

Blue eyes

Green Eyes

With only about 2% of the population having green eyes, they are among the rarest eye colors. These eyes have a lower to moderate amount of melanin.

Green eyes

Gray Eyes

Gray eyes are rarer than blue eyes, with just 3% of the world's population having them. This color is likely due to a lower melanin content and a specific stromal composition that scatters light differently, giving the eyes a silvery appearance.

Gray eyes

Amber Eyes

Amber eyes, which are a solid yellowish, golden, or copper hue, make up a small percentage of the population. These eyes are typically found in individuals of Spanish, Asian, South American, or South African descent and are free of brown, green, or orange flecks.

Amber eyes

References

  1. AOA, 2014 Harris Poll Survey
  2. Genome Biology, Human pigmentation genes under environmental selection
  3. Eye, Scientific Journal Of Ophthalmologist, What colour are your eyes? Teaching the genetics of eye colour & colour vision.