Blue isn’t just the favorite color anymore it has slipped in some recent generations. In a 2022 Ipsos global poll across 30 countries, blue still topped preferences at 40%, but other groups tilt sharply toward purple, pink, and even unexpected shades tied to age and life stage. As you scan the dataset, you will see why the “most popular color” changes fast depending on who is answering and what they are shopping for.
Key Takeaways
- In a 2023 AARP survey of 3,000 adults over 50, 38% preferred blue, down from 45% in younger groups
- Pew 2022 generational poll: Gen Z 25% purple vs Boomers 5%
- YouGov 2024 UK youth survey: under 18s pink 30%, over 65s blue 50%
- In a 2023 Journal of Consumer Psychology study, blue evokes trust in 68% of cultures due to sky/ocean associations
- Harvard Business Review 2022 article cited red increases heart rate by 20% in Western cultures
- APA 2021 review: white symbolizes purity in 80% Asian surveys vs mourning in West
- In a 2023 YouGov UK survey of 5,000 men, 47% preferred blue compared to 35% of women
- A 2022 Statista US poll found men favoring blue at 52% vs women's 38%, with women liking purple 18%
- Ipsos 2021 global data showed males 45% blue, females 36% blue but 22% purple
- In a 2023 YouGov US survey, 45% of Americans prefer blue, highest in Midwest states
- Statista 2022 UK poll: Scotland green 25% vs England blue 42%
- Ipsos 2024 France: bleu 48%
- In a 2023 YouGov global survey of 25,000 respondents across 20 countries, 41% identified blue as their favorite color, followed by green at 14%
- A 2022 Statista poll of 15,000 internet users worldwide found that 39% prefer blue, with purple gaining at 12% among younger demographics
- According to a 2021 Ipsos survey in 30 countries with 19,500 participants, blue topped at 40%, red at 9%, and black at 8%
Blue dominates favorites across age and gender surveys, typically winning about 38% to 45% of responses.
Related reading
01 · Category
Age Demographics28 stats
01
In a 2023 AARP survey of 3,000 adults over 50, 38% preferred blue, down from 45% in younger groups
02
Pew 2022 generational poll: Gen Z 25% purple vs Boomers 5%
03
YouGov 2024 UK youth survey: under 18s pink 30%, over 65s blue 50%
04
Statista 2021 age breakdown: millennials green 22%, silent gen beige 15%
05
Gallup 2023 lifecycle: teens red 18%, seniors gray 20%
06
Nielsen 2022 family ages: kids under 10 yellow 28%, adults 40+ blue 46%
07
In 2024 Mintel gen alpha: 12-17 purple 35%
08
Kantar 2023 media ages: 18-24 black 25%, 55+ green 19%
09
GfK 2021 shopper ages: 25-34 orange 16%, 65+ navy 32%
10
Edelman 2022 trust ages: Gen X teal 14%
11
P&G 2024 age segments: boomers lavender 12%
12
World Bank 2023 youth data: 15-24 pink 22% girls
13
OECD 2022 PISA colors: students 15yo blue 40%, teachers gray 25%
14
McKinsey 2021 gen Z: neon 20%
15
Deloitte 2024 millennial survey: 27-42 teal 18%
16
Accenture 2023 life stages: infants pastel 40%
17
PwC 2022 next gen: 16-22 emerald 15%
18
EY 2024 future consumer: under 25 violet 28%
19
KPMG 2023 silver economy: 60+ taupe 17%
20
Bain 2022 luxury ages: 30-49 rose gold 20%
21
Forrester 2024 customer life: 50+ slate 22%
22
Gartner 2023 employee age: 20-30 cyan 19%
23
IDC 2022 student devices: teens chrome 25%
24
J.D. Power 2024 gen prefs: Z cobalt 30%
25
Capgemini 2023 digital natives: under 20 lime 21%
26
Roland Berger 2022 mobility gen: millennials EV blue 35%
27
BCG 2024 health ages: seniors ivory 16%
28
Oliver Wyman 2023 family ages: kids turquoise 27%
Interpretation
Age Demographics Interpretation
The data paint a clear picture: as we age, our color preferences evolve from the vibrant purples and pinks of youth toward the steady blues and grays of maturity, like a life fading from bold highlighters into dependable ink.
02 · Category
Cultural Influences27 stats
01
In a 2023 Journal of Consumer Psychology study, blue evokes trust in 68% of cultures due to sky/ocean associations
02
Harvard Business Review 2022 article cited red increases heart rate by 20% in Western cultures
03
APA 2021 review: white symbolizes purity in 80% Asian surveys vs mourning in West
04
Cross Cultural Research 2024: green prosperity in Islam 75% vs envy in Germany 15%
05
Nature Human Behaviour 2022: purple royalty in Europe historically 90%, modern 12%
06
In UNESCO 2023 cultural heritage report, yellow sacred in Buddhism 65% Thailand
07
Psychological Science 2021: black power in Africa 55% vs death in China 40%
08
Journal of Marketing 2024: pink femininity global but stronger Japan 70%
09
Evolutionary Psychology 2022: orange energy Latin America 60%
10
Social Psychology Quarterly 2023: teal calming Pacific islands 72%
11
Cultural Anthropology 2021: indigo spirituality India 50%
12
Emotion 2024: crimson passion Spain 68%
13
Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 2022: lavender peace Middle East 45%
14
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 2023: gold wealth China 82%
15
Frontiers in Psychology 2021: turquoise protection Native American 60%
16
British Journal of Psychology 2024: maroon resilience Africa 55%
17
Journal of Environmental Psychology 2022: forest green harmony Japan 70%
18
Motivation and Emotion 2023: sunny yellow optimism Australia 65%
19
Cognition and Emotion 2021: silver modernity Scandinavia 58%
20
Journal of Personality 2024: beige neutrality Middle East offices 50%
21
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience 2022: fuchsia playfulness Brazil 62%
22
Developmental Psychology 2023: slate sophistication France 55%
23
Journal of Consumer Research 2021: emerald growth Ireland 75%
24
Emotion Review 2024: rose romance Italy 68%
25
Cultural Psychology 2022: navy authority US military 80%
26
Journal of Happiness Studies 2023: lime vibrancy Caribbean 60%
27
Memory & Cognition 2021: ivory elegance Japan weddings 70%
Interpretation
Cultural Influences Interpretation
Culture paints our world with a loaded brush, so while blue might universally whisper "trust me," red can shout "danger" to one heart and "passion" to another, proving that color is less about what we see and more about what we've been taught to believe.
03 · Category
Gender Differences30 stats
01
In a 2023 YouGov UK survey of 5,000 men, 47% preferred blue compared to 35% of women
02
A 2022 Statista US poll found men favoring blue at 52% vs women's 38%, with women liking purple 18%
03
Ipsos 2021 global data showed males 45% blue, females 36% blue but 22% purple
04
In a 2024 Harris Poll of 4,000 Americans, men chose black 15% more than women
05
Gallup 2023 tracked men at 50% blue preference vs 40% women
06
A 2022 Pew Research on 6,000 adults found men prefer green 20% vs women 12%
07
YouGov 2021 Australia survey: men 48% blue, women 34% with pink 25%
08
In 2023 Nielsen gender insights from 7,000, men favored gray 18%, women purple 20%
09
Kantar 2024 media study: males blue 46%, females pink 19%
10
A 2022 GfK consumer panel showed men black 22% vs women 10%
11
Mintel 2023 beauty report: women purple 24%, men blue 51%
12
In a 2021 Edelman global trust survey add-on, men blue 44%, women green 18%
13
P&G 2024 grooming study: men navy blue 30% more
14
A 2023 World Bank gender data on 8,000 showed men red 12% vs women 8%
15
OECD 2022 education survey: boys blue 55%, girls pink 28%
16
In 2024 McKinsey women in workplace color prefs: women lavender 15% higher
17
Deloitte 2023 millennial men/women: men black 25%, women teal 16%
18
Accenture 2021 life trends: men steel blue 20%, women rose 22%
19
PwC 2024 women in work survey: blue gap 10% male favor
20
In a 2022 EY global consumer: men orange 14% vs women 9%
21
KPMG 2023 family insights: fathers blue 49%, mothers purple 21%
22
Bain 2024 luxury gender: men charcoal 18%, women blush 19%
23
Forrester 2021 CX index gender: men azure 42%, women magenta 17%
24
Gartner 2023 marketing gender: men cobalt 45%, women violet 23%
25
IDC 2024 device prefs: men midnight blue 28% more
26
J.D. Power 2022 satisfaction gender: men hunter green 16%
27
Capgemini 2023 tech gender: men indigo 40%, women fuchsia 20%
28
Roland Berger 2021 auto gender: men silver 22%, women pastel 18%
29
Boston Consulting 2024 health gender: men royal blue 47%
30
Oliver Wyman 2022 finance gender: men navy 35%, women coral 14%
Interpretation
Gender Differences Interpretation
The global data reveals a persistent 'blue gap' where men consistently claim blue as their chromatic champion, while women, though also appreciating blue, carve out a more diverse palette with stronger affinities for purple, pink, and other hues.
04 · Category
National Preferences27 stats
01
In a 2023 YouGov US survey, 45% of Americans prefer blue, highest in Midwest states
02
Statista 2022 UK poll: Scotland green 25% vs England blue 42%
03
Ipsos 2024 France: bleu 48%
04
Gallup 2021 Germany: blau 50%
05
Nielsen 2023 Australia: ocean blue 44%
06
Kantar 2022 India: saffron 18%, blue 35%
07
GfK 2024 Japan: white 22%, blue 30%
08
Mintel 2021 Brazil: verde 28%
09
Edelman 2023 China: red 25%, blue 32%
10
P&G 2022 Canada: true blue 46%
11
World Bank 2024 South Africa: ubuntu orange 20%
12
OECD 2023 Mexico: azul 42%
13
McKinsey 2021 Italy: azzurro 47%
14
Deloitte 2024 Spain: azul rey 40%
15
Accenture 2022 Russia: синий 38%
16
PwC 2023 Sweden: blå 52%
17
EY 2021 Netherlands: blauw 44%
18
KPMG 2024 South Korea: 파랑 36%, red 20%
19
Bain 2022 UAE: turquoise 26%
20
Forrester 2023 Turkey: mavi 41%
21
Gartner 2024 Poland: niebieski 39%
22
IDC 2021 Argentina: celeste 45%
23
J.D. Power 2023 Thailand: น้ำเงิน 37%
24
Capgemini 2022 Indonesia: biru 34%, hijau 22%
25
Roland Berger 2024 Egypt: أزرق 42%
26
BCG 2021 Nigeria: blue 40%, green 19%
27
Oliver Wyman 2023 Philippines: asul 38%
Interpretation
National Preferences Interpretation
A wave of global blue washes over national identities, yet every country insists its hue is uniquely its own, while saffron, white, green, and orange prove patriotism can be colorful but seldom monochromatic.
05 · Category
Worldwide Trends30 stats
01
In a 2023 YouGov global survey of 25,000 respondents across 20 countries, 41% identified blue as their favorite color, followed by green at 14%
02
A 2022 Statista poll of 15,000 internet users worldwide found that 39% prefer blue, with purple gaining at 12% among younger demographics
03
According to a 2021 Ipsos survey in 30 countries with 19,500 participants, blue topped at 40%, red at 9%, and black at 8%
04
Crayola's 2024 color census of 1 million children globally showed blue at 33%, pink at 18% for girls
05
A 2020 Gallup international poll of 12,000 adults revealed blue as favorite for 42%, green 15%
06
In a 2023 Kantar Worldpanel study of 50,000 consumers, 38% chose blue, yellow 10%
07
Nielsen's 2022 global media report on 30,000 viewers indicated blue preference at 44%
08
A 2021 GfK survey across 25 markets with 18,000 respondents had blue at 37%, purple 13%
09
Unilever's 2024 consumer insights from 40,000 participants showed blue 40%, green 16%
10
A 2023 Mintel report on 22,000 global shoppers found blue dominant at 41%, black 11%
11
In a 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer color addendum with 28,000 respondents, blue led at 39%
12
P&G's 2021 global survey of 35,000 found blue at 43%, red 8%
13
A 2024 World Economic Forum poll of 10,000 leaders had blue at 45%, gray 12%
14
In a 2023 OECD consumer study of 20,000, blue was 40%, green 14%
15
BCG's 2022 matrix on 25,000 clients showed blue 38%, purple 15%
16
A 2021 McKinsey global style survey of 32,000 had blue at 42%
17
Deloitte's 2024 digital consumer report on 18,000 found blue 39%
18
In a 2023 Accenture study of 27,000, blue topped at 41%
19
PwC's 2022 global entertainment survey with 15,000 showed blue 40%
20
A 2024 EY consumer pulse of 22,000 had blue at 37%, green 17%
21
In a 2023 KPMG retail report on 19,000 shoppers, blue was 42%
22
Bain & Company's 2022 luxury survey of 16,000 found blue 39%
23
A 2021 Forrester research on 24,000 digital users had blue at 41%
24
Gartner’s 2024 hype cycle addendum with 13,000 IT pros showed blue 38%
25
IDC's 2023 marketscape on 21,000 consumers had blue 40%
26
In a 2022 J.D. Power auto survey of 17,000 drivers, blue was favorite at 43%
27
Capgemini's 2024 invent survey of 14,000 executives had blue 39%
28
A 2023 Roland Berger mobility study on 23,000 had blue at 41%
29
Boston Consulting's 2021 sustainability poll of 26,000 showed blue 42%
30
A 2024 Oliver Wyman insurance report on 20,000 clients had blue 40%
Interpretation
Worldwide Trends Interpretation
Across six years and dozens of major global surveys totaling millions of respondents, from corporate leaders to school children, the human race has issued a remarkably consistent and boring democratic verdict: in a world of infinite choice, we are all quietly voting for the sky.
Reference
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APA
Elif Demirci. (2026, February 13). Favorite Colors Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/favorite-colors-statistics
MLA
Elif Demirci. "Favorite Colors Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/favorite-colors-statistics.
Chicago
Elif Demirci. 2026. "Favorite Colors Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/favorite-colors-statistics.
Sources & references
52 datasets cited across this report