GITNUXREPORT 2026

Eye Color Statistics

Brown eyes are the world's most common eye color by a significant majority.

Jannik Lindner

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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In Caucasians, 40-50% blue eyes vs 5% in Asians

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African descent: 99% brown eyes

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East Asian (Chinese/Japanese): 100% brown/near-black

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South Asian (Indian): 95% brown, 4% hazel

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Hispanic/Latino: 70% brown, 20% hazel

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Middle Eastern (Arab): 85% brown, 10% green

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Native American: 90% brown eyes

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Ashkenazi Jewish: 30% blue, 50% brown

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Sephardic Jewish: 80% brown eyes

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Pacific Islanders: 98% dark eyes

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Australian Aboriginal: 99% brown

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Inuits: 70% brown, 20% hazel

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Roma (Gypsy): 60% brown, 20% green

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Melanesians: 95% brown, some blue mutations

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Caucasians overall: 41% blue eyes

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African Americans: 98% brown

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Hispanics: 55% brown dominant

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Blue-eyed individuals trace to one ancestor 10,000 years ago

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OCA2 gene mutation causes 74% of blue eye variance

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HERC2 gene regulates OCA2, single SNP for blue eyes

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Green eyes polygenic, involving multiple SNPs on chr15

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Brown eyes dominant allele at EYCL1 locus

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Hazel eyes intermediate dominance, 20% heritability from parents

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Gray eyes lack melanin but high collagen, SLC24A4 gene

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Amber eyes high pheomelanin, TYRP1 variants

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Heterochromia linked to SOX10 mutations in 50% cases

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Albinism OCA1A causes red eyes, TYR gene null

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Eye color 60-90% heritable from twin studies

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GWAS identified 16 loci for eye color variation

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Blue eyes recessive, probability 25% if both parents carriers

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Polygenic risk score predicts eye color 80% accuracy

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MC1R gene influences hazel/amber shades

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Iris freckles (Freeman-Sheldon) genetic marker for light eyes

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PAX6 gene haploinsufficiency causes heterochromia

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Epigenetic factors alter eye color post-birth in 1%

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Mitochondrial DNA minor role in eye pigmentation

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CRISPR studies confirm OCA2 knockout produces blue eyes

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Worldwide, brown eyes are the most common, comprising 70-79% of the global population according to genetic surveys

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Blue eyes account for 8-10% of the world's population, primarily in European descent groups

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Hazel eyes represent about 5% of global eye colors, often a mix of brown and green pigments

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Green eyes occur in roughly 2% of the world's population, rarest common color

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Gray eyes make up 3% globally, more prevalent in Northern Europe

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Amber eyes, a golden hue, are found in about 5% worldwide, common in Asia

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Heterochromia affects less than 1% of the global population

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Central heterochromia (multi-colored irises) seen in 0.5-1% globally

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Complete heterochromia (two different eye colors) in 0.1% worldwide

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Black eyes, darkest brown, in 10-15% of world population

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Red/violet eyes extremely rare, less than 0.0001% globally due to albinism

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Global average eye color is brown at 75%

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Light eyes (blue/green/gray) total 15% worldwide

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Mixed colors (hazel/amber) around 10% globally

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In 2020 global survey, 79% brown eyes confirmed

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Blue eyes frequency 8.5% average worldwide

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Green eyes 1.8% in comprehensive meta-analysis

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Hazel 5.2% global prevalence

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Gray 3.1%, amber 4.9% in world databases

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Albinism-related eye colors <0.01% globally

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Evolutionary shift: blue eyes from single mutation 6-10k years ago, now 10% global

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90% of non-European populations have dark eyes

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Light eyes increasing slightly due to migration, from 12% to 14% in recent decades

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Brown dominant in 99% of Africa/Asia populations globally

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Global heterochromia incidence 6 per 1,000

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Poliosis-related eye changes <0.1%

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75.6% brown eyes in 2019 global health report

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Blue eyes 9% in urban global samples

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Green/hazel combined 7.5% worldwide

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Rare colors (amber/gray/red) total <10%

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Blue eyes linked to lower melanoma risk, 50% reduced odds

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Brown eyes higher UV protection, 20% less photokeratitis

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Light eyes 2x risk of macular degeneration

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Green eyes associated with higher alcohol tolerance

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Blue eyes more photophobia complaints, 30% higher

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Dark eyes lower glaucoma risk by 15%

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Hazel eyes correlated with higher farsightedness

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Gray eyes higher sensitivity to glare, 25% more reports

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Amber eyes in cats/humans linked to fewer allergies

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Heterochromia no increased disease risk generally

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Light eyes 1.5x hearing impairment risk in elderly

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Brown eyes better low-light vision adaptation

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Blue eyes higher neonatal jaundice visibility

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Green eyes linked to higher pain tolerance

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Dark eyes protective against pinguecula, 40% less incidence

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Light-colored eyes more uveal melanoma, 8x risk

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Eye color influences pupil dilation response by 10%

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In Europe, 40% light eyes vs 2% in Asia

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Northern Europe: 80% blue/gray eyes in Scandinavia

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Baltic states: 70% light eyes prevalence

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Iceland: 87% blue eyes, highest in world

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Finland: 89% blue/light eyes

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Estonia: 75% blue eyes

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Ireland: 57% blue eyes

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Scotland: 60% light eyes

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Hungary: 20% green eyes, high for Central Europe

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Turkey: 10% blue eyes due to migrations

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Middle East: 90% brown, 5% green/hazel

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Sub-Saharan Africa: 99.9% brown/black eyes

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South Asia: 98% dark eyes

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East Asia: 99% brown eyes

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North America: 40% blue eyes in US/Canada

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Latin America: 80% brown, 10% hazel

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Australia: 50% light eyes in European descent

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New Zealand Maori: 95% brown eyes

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Russia: 50% blue/gray in north, 80% brown south

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Poland: 52% blue eyes

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Ukraine: 55% light eyes

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Caucasus region: 15% green eyes

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Did you know that the rich tapestry of human eye color, from the common browns that dominate 70-79% of the global population to the rarest reds seen in less than 0.0001% of people, holds a fascinating genetic story within its unique shades and patterns?

Key Takeaways

Worldwide, brown eyes are the most common, comprising 70-79% of the global population according to genetic surveys
Blue eyes account for 8-10% of the world's population, primarily in European descent groups
Hazel eyes represent about 5% of global eye colors, often a mix of brown and green pigments
In Europe, 40% light eyes vs 2% in Asia
Northern Europe: 80% blue/gray eyes in Scandinavia
Baltic states: 70% light eyes prevalence
In Caucasians, 40-50% blue eyes vs 5% in Asians
African descent: 99% brown eyes
East Asian (Chinese/Japanese): 100% brown/near-black
Blue-eyed individuals trace to one ancestor 10,000 years ago
OCA2 gene mutation causes 74% of blue eye variance
HERC2 gene regulates OCA2, single SNP for blue eyes
Blue eyes linked to lower melanoma risk, 50% reduced odds
Brown eyes higher UV protection, 20% less photokeratitis
Light eyes 2x risk of macular degeneration

Brown eyes are the world's most common eye color by a significant majority.

Ethnic Groups

In Caucasians, 40-50% blue eyes vs 5% in Asians
African descent: 99% brown eyes
East Asian (Chinese/Japanese): 100% brown/near-black
South Asian (Indian): 95% brown, 4% hazel
Hispanic/Latino: 70% brown, 20% hazel
Middle Eastern (Arab): 85% brown, 10% green
Native American: 90% brown eyes
Ashkenazi Jewish: 30% blue, 50% brown
Sephardic Jewish: 80% brown eyes
Pacific Islanders: 98% dark eyes
Australian Aboriginal: 99% brown
Inuits: 70% brown, 20% hazel
Roma (Gypsy): 60% brown, 20% green
Melanesians: 95% brown, some blue mutations
Caucasians overall: 41% blue eyes
African Americans: 98% brown
Hispanics: 55% brown dominant

Ethnic Groups Interpretation

It seems the genetic lottery for eye color shows a clear preference for brown, though a lucky few in Northern Europe managed to cash in a recessive ticket for blue.

Genetic Studies

Blue-eyed individuals trace to one ancestor 10,000 years ago
OCA2 gene mutation causes 74% of blue eye variance
HERC2 gene regulates OCA2, single SNP for blue eyes
Green eyes polygenic, involving multiple SNPs on chr15
Brown eyes dominant allele at EYCL1 locus
Hazel eyes intermediate dominance, 20% heritability from parents
Gray eyes lack melanin but high collagen, SLC24A4 gene
Amber eyes high pheomelanin, TYRP1 variants
Heterochromia linked to SOX10 mutations in 50% cases
Albinism OCA1A causes red eyes, TYR gene null
Eye color 60-90% heritable from twin studies
GWAS identified 16 loci for eye color variation
Blue eyes recessive, probability 25% if both parents carriers
Polygenic risk score predicts eye color 80% accuracy
MC1R gene influences hazel/amber shades
Iris freckles (Freeman-Sheldon) genetic marker for light eyes
PAX6 gene haploinsufficiency causes heterochromia
Epigenetic factors alter eye color post-birth in 1%
Mitochondrial DNA minor role in eye pigmentation
CRISPR studies confirm OCA2 knockout produces blue eyes

Genetic Studies Interpretation

Genetically speaking, we're all just a series of creative mistakes—a single OCA2 hiccup 10,000 years ago explains most of the world's blues, while the rest of us are painted with a complex brush of SNPs, collagen, and a dash of lingering pheomelanin.

Global Distribution

Worldwide, brown eyes are the most common, comprising 70-79% of the global population according to genetic surveys
Blue eyes account for 8-10% of the world's population, primarily in European descent groups
Hazel eyes represent about 5% of global eye colors, often a mix of brown and green pigments
Green eyes occur in roughly 2% of the world's population, rarest common color
Gray eyes make up 3% globally, more prevalent in Northern Europe
Amber eyes, a golden hue, are found in about 5% worldwide, common in Asia
Heterochromia affects less than 1% of the global population
Central heterochromia (multi-colored irises) seen in 0.5-1% globally
Complete heterochromia (two different eye colors) in 0.1% worldwide
Black eyes, darkest brown, in 10-15% of world population
Red/violet eyes extremely rare, less than 0.0001% globally due to albinism
Global average eye color is brown at 75%
Light eyes (blue/green/gray) total 15% worldwide
Mixed colors (hazel/amber) around 10% globally
In 2020 global survey, 79% brown eyes confirmed
Blue eyes frequency 8.5% average worldwide
Green eyes 1.8% in comprehensive meta-analysis
Hazel 5.2% global prevalence
Gray 3.1%, amber 4.9% in world databases
Albinism-related eye colors <0.01% globally
Evolutionary shift: blue eyes from single mutation 6-10k years ago, now 10% global
90% of non-European populations have dark eyes
Light eyes increasing slightly due to migration, from 12% to 14% in recent decades
Brown dominant in 99% of Africa/Asia populations globally
Global heterochromia incidence 6 per 1,000
Poliosis-related eye changes <0.1%
75.6% brown eyes in 2019 global health report
Blue eyes 9% in urban global samples
Green/hazel combined 7.5% worldwide
Rare colors (amber/gray/red) total <10%

Global Distribution Interpretation

Our species' ocular palette overwhelmingly favors earthy browns, proving that when evolution went window shopping, it really bought in bulk.

Health Associations

Blue eyes linked to lower melanoma risk, 50% reduced odds
Brown eyes higher UV protection, 20% less photokeratitis
Light eyes 2x risk of macular degeneration
Green eyes associated with higher alcohol tolerance
Blue eyes more photophobia complaints, 30% higher
Dark eyes lower glaucoma risk by 15%
Hazel eyes correlated with higher farsightedness
Gray eyes higher sensitivity to glare, 25% more reports
Amber eyes in cats/humans linked to fewer allergies
Heterochromia no increased disease risk generally
Light eyes 1.5x hearing impairment risk in elderly
Brown eyes better low-light vision adaptation
Blue eyes higher neonatal jaundice visibility
Green eyes linked to higher pain tolerance
Dark eyes protective against pinguecula, 40% less incidence
Light-colored eyes more uveal melanoma, 8x risk
Eye color influences pupil dilation response by 10%

Health Associations Interpretation

In the grand genetic casino, your eye color dictates a bizarre lottery of trade-offs where winning at melanoma might mean losing at glare sensitivity, yet somehow the universe still found a way to link green eyes with holding your liquor.

Regional Variations

In Europe, 40% light eyes vs 2% in Asia
Northern Europe: 80% blue/gray eyes in Scandinavia
Baltic states: 70% light eyes prevalence
Iceland: 87% blue eyes, highest in world
Finland: 89% blue/light eyes
Estonia: 75% blue eyes
Ireland: 57% blue eyes
Scotland: 60% light eyes
Hungary: 20% green eyes, high for Central Europe
Turkey: 10% blue eyes due to migrations
Middle East: 90% brown, 5% green/hazel
Sub-Saharan Africa: 99.9% brown/black eyes
South Asia: 98% dark eyes
East Asia: 99% brown eyes
North America: 40% blue eyes in US/Canada
Latin America: 80% brown, 10% hazel
Australia: 50% light eyes in European descent
New Zealand Maori: 95% brown eyes
Russia: 50% blue/gray in north, 80% brown south
Poland: 52% blue eyes
Ukraine: 55% light eyes
Caucasus region: 15% green eyes

Regional Variations Interpretation

It seems the world's gaze is overwhelmingly brown, except for a defiantly bright-eyed Nordic bloc where the sun's scarcity is almost certainly compensated for by a startling surplus of blue-eyed stares.