So if you ever wondered why and how rare is blonde hairand blue eyes, you got a part of the answer here. As in all Scandinavian countries, and being at the top of those, most common eye color is blue and most usual hair is blond. Indeed, one study found evidence of blue-eyed hunters and gatherers roaming Spain 7,000 years ago. Brown eyes have the highest amount of melanin in the iris, and blue eyes have the least. A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens. Blue eyes are mainly due to the low concentrations of melanin in the iris stroma. Stay Safe. Most newborn babies who have European ancestry have light-colored eyes. [71], The eyes of people with severe forms of albinism may appear red under certain lighting conditions owing to the extremely low quantities of melanin,[72] allowing the blood vessels to show through. Effortless urban style, with expert craftsmanship - clothing, shoes & apparel for men & women from rag & bone. Your pupil is the small black opening in the center. The hazel eye color is primarily due to the combination of a decent amount of melanin and Rayleigh scattering. While blue eyes may be rare . [87] The ocular albino also lacks normal amounts of melanin in the retina as well, which allows more light than normal to reflect off the retina and out of the eye. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. WorldAtlas. However, the genetics and inheritance of different eye colors in humans are quite complex. [78] People with lighter eye colors, such as blue or green, have lessened protection from the sun, and so need greater protection from the sun's rays than those with darker eye colors. [12] A specific mutation within the HERC2 gene, a gene that regulates OCA2 expression, is partly responsible for blue eyes. Brown melanin is the only pigment that exists in the eye; there is no pigment for hazel or green or blue. [93] There are also other studies that challenge these findings. [8], The genetics and inheritance of eye color in humans is complicated. Blue eyes are the second most common eye color in the world. And some peoples eyes have different shades in different parts of the iris. Which country has the most people with blue eyes? Estonia is the country most known for its fair-skinned, blue-eyed population, followed closely by Finland. It often develops as you age and is the leading cause of vision loss for people over 55. Blue is the most common eye colour in Britain, researchers found. If your current heating system yields cold hands and frozen toes it might be time to upgrade. Nothing to do with their mythical fiery temperament! Quizzes; Events; Quiz Creation; Community; Videos; Private Events . Although these conditions cannot permanently change the color of the iris, they generally affect the eyes sclera or cornea. Almost everyone (even people with blue or green eyes) has brown pigment in the back layer of the iris. In Britain, for example, a 2014 study found that green was more prevalent than brown 30 percent to 22 percent although most were blue, 48 percent. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Globally, brown is the most common eye color. Human eyes don't have their full amount of melanin pigment at birth. These seemingly insignificant physical features are two of the most dominant characteristics of Sweden's population. The color of our eyes depends on how much melanin is present in the iris. 2012;131(5):683-96. doi:10.1007/s00439-011-1110-x. The total number of genes that contribute to eye color is unknown, but there are a few likely candidates. [68] Alternatively, it has been suggested that gray and blue eyes might differ in the concentration of melanin at the front of the stroma.[68]. [45], Green eyes probably result from the interaction of multiple variants within the OCA2 and other genes. The eyes of some pigeons contain yellow fluorescing pigments known as pteridines. Eyeglass temples: How do you know if they're the right length? One thing that truly sets people apart is their eye color. Amber eye color is commonly found in Pakistan and the Balkan region, as well as in Southern France, the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, and Hungary, and in fewer numbers in the Middle East, Colombia, and the Southern Cone region. Researchers at the American Academy of Opthalmology have stated that everyone on planet earth had brown eyes around 10,000 years ago. The most common eye color is dark brown in Africa, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Brown eyes in an otherwise mostly light-eyed region may point to a genetic leftover and a time in history during which everyone in the world had brown eyes. [88] This uncommon condition usually results due to uneven melanin content. An iris that appears blue under this method of observation is more likely to remain blue as the infant ages. Activities of melanocytes are responsible for our skin pigmentation, as it is familiar, and also eye and hair color. [46], Green eyes are most common in Northern, Western and Central Europe. Priscilla Vu, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. These people make up about 9% of the U.S. population. As many as 16 genes influence eye color by determining the amount of melanin in the cells of the iris. Most eye color changes have been observed or reported in the Caucasian population with hazel and amber eyes. This form of hearing loss comes from damage to the inner ear or to the nerve going from the ear to the brain. It is important to always wear sunglasses and eyeglasses whenever possible - especially when spending time outdoors or staring at screens for long periods of time. That same study suggested an intriguing possibility: Blue-eyed northern Europeans may have somehow adapted an ability to fend off seasonal affective disorder (S.A.D., also known as the winter blues). Brown is the most common eye colour. [29] Brown eyes are common in Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Americas. Blue eyes as a risk factor for type 1 diabetes. Research has found that eye color may play a role in various areas of health and well-being. [10][11] However, OCA2 gene polymorphism, close to proximal 5' regulatory region, explains most human eye-color variation. The number of cylindrical cells is more than the number of color receptors and reaches about 120 million; cone cells, which are smaller in number than light receptors, have color vision and are divided into three distinct categories, each of which recognizes one of the colors blue, red, and green, allowing the individual to distinguish colors. This article discusses where blue eyes come from and how having blue eyes may increase your risk for certain health conditions. While researchers have not pinpointed the exact cause yet, they do know that besides age, women with fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes have a significantly higher chance of developing macular degeneration. Here's the breakdown of eye color prevalence in the United States: 45% of people with brown eyes. Also, hazel eyes may appear to shift in color and consist of flecks and ripples, while amber eyes are of a solid gold hue. Sturm R.A. & Larsson M., Genetics of human iris colour and patterns, Pigment Cell Melanoma Res, 22:544-562, 2009. She has spent the last 10 years working for an internationally recognized medical facility where she found her passion for making complicated topics easier to understand. Additionally, Icelanders are very passionate about supporting their sports teams! Scientists have tracked down a genetic mutation which took place 6,000-10,000 years ago and is the cause of the eye . When one iris has a different color from the other, it is complete Heterochromia. Heterochromia (heterochromia iridum or heterochromia iridis) is an eye condition in which one iris is a different color from the other (complete heterochromia), or where a part of one iris is a different color from the remainder (partial heterochromia or sectoral heterochromia). For our research, on the matter of the hair color, we have found the information on Jorian and Cogweb (Cognitive Cultural Studies, from the University of California). With a 75.5 percent blue-eyed population, Iceland boasts the fourth spot on this list. Worldwide, fewer than 9% of people have blue eyes. [49] Around 810% of men and 1821% of women in Iceland and 6% of men and 17% of women in the Netherlands, have green eyes. Your genes determine whether you have blue eyes. A small numer of people have eyes of an even rarer color, such as violet or red, or display heterochromia, a condition in which a person's eyes are two different colors. [12], Eye color is an inherited trait determined by multiple genes. All About Vision does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. In fact, only about 17 percent of the world's population has blue eyes. This can make the blue eyes look slightly different depending on the type of lighting conditions. How eye color develops and why it changes. Nevertheless, green eyes are common in a few parts of the world, like Ireland and Scotland. [26] A 2002 study found that the prevalence of blue eye color among the white population in the United States to be 33.8% for those born from 1936 through 1951, compared with 57.4% for those born from 1899 through 1905. Around 70% to 80% of the people also have blue eyes. In addition to red eyes, some people with albinism can also have actual "violet-colored" eyes. October 2014. All About Vision and AllAboutVision.com are registered trademarks of AAV Media, LLC. The highest percentages of fair-haired people can be found around the Baltic Sea (e.g. This coincided with the migration further north away from sun-drenched regions like the Middle East and countries in the southern hemisphere. In contrast, more than 50 percent of the global population is believed to have brown eyes. Image credit: Aleksandar Mijatovic via Shutterstock. Former U.S. This damage will cause your vision to become blurrier and more distorteda condition called macular degeneration. [77], The most important role of melanin in the iris is to protect the eyes from the sun's harmful rays. In cases of central Heterochromia, the irises are identical, but there is a ring of different colors around the pupil. Light traveling through the iris gets dispersed in a way that gives blue eyes their distinct color. the admirers of blue eyes and fair hair were disgusted . In humans, this pigmentation of the iris depends on the melanin concentration in the iris pigment epithelium, it's content within the iris stroma, as well as the cellular density of the stroma. [22] Observing the iris of an infant from the side using only transmitted light with no reflection from the back of the iris, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of low levels of melanin. View Reports-/5-RATE Hazel 5-8%. Eye color depends on how much of a pigment called melanin lives in the iris of the eye. In theory, blue eyes may have protected a person from acquiring vision disorders caused by these periods. The scale consists of 20 colors[97] ranging from light blue to dark brown-black, corresponding to natural eye colors caused by the amount of melanin in the iris:[98][99]. Having blue eyes has its advantages. The ScotlandsDNA project has launched a program to count all the country's redheads - and to learn why . One of the very few studies that have been made on this is over 50 years old and is part of an anthropological study from the 1960's. The study concluded that somewhere between 50 and 80 percent . Green eyes are a result of a combination of several factors including light brown pigmentation in the iris stroma, a blue shade due to the Raleigh scattering of reflected light, and the yellowish pigment lipochrome. People with blue eyes have a single, common ancestor, according to new research. Although rare, green eyes are found to be rather catchy especially . [47][48] In Scotland, 29% of people have green eyes. [24], Almost all mammals have brown or darkly-pigmented irises. At the same time, nearly half of the U.S. population has brown eyes. If you inherit blue-eye genes from your parents, it means that your eyes will have less of a pigment called melanin in them. Eye color is partially affected by light, especially blue eyes, which get their color specifically by light entering and reflecting out of the eye. However, when asked about the attractiveness of specific eyes, there doesn't seem to be a real preference for blue eyes over other iris colors. Green 2.0%. Contact an eye doctor if you need medical attention. Why do some people have light blue eyes and others have dark blue? Blue is the second most common and brown tops the list with 45% of the U.S. population and possibly almost 80% worldwide. "But a genetic mutation affecting the OCA2 gene in our chromosomes resulted in the creation of a 'switch,' which literally turned off the ability to produce brown eyes.". Iris color depends on the protein melanin which is stored in special cells, melanocytes. Unsurprisingly, another Scandinavian country has placed itself third on our list of countries with the highest percentage of blond hair citizens. Blue eyes as a risk factor for type 1 diabetes, Eye color as a risk factor for acquired sensorineural hearing loss: A review, A global view of the OCA2-HERC2 region and pigmentation. Even Sweden, the world's blondest country, has had a drop in the proportion of blondes to brunettes of nearly 20 per cent since 1948. . In contrast, more than 50 percent of the global population is believed to have brown eyes. Red hair is . It shows that in most of Scotland and Ireland, as well as a random patch in central Russia, 10% of people are of the ginger genre. 2011;27(6):609-613. doi:10.1002/dmrr.1214. What Is the Origin of Blue Eyes in Black People? Plus, although this cancer is extremely rare, light-eyed folks are also more susceptible to sun damage from exposure to UV rays. Click to read the article and view the infographic. Whats the Difference Between Vitiligo and Albinism? The brown color comes from melanin, a pigment in our eyes that also gives a brown color to hair, skin and other cells. [62][63][64], Approximately 8% to 10% of the global population have blue eyes. In the US, 45% of people have brown eyes, while the rarest eye color is green only 9% of people in the US have green eyes. or brown eyes. Some eyes have a dark ring around the iris, called a limbal ring. [73], Although the deep blue eyes of some people such as Elizabeth Taylor can appear purple or violet at certain times, "true" violet-colored eyes occur only due to albinism. [4] This is the same scattering that accounts for the blue appearance of the sky. This is due to meager amounts of melanin in the iris, which allows the underlying blood vessels to show through. [27] Green eyes contain the yellowish pigment lipochrome.[52]. Between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago, a baby was born in Europe with a harmless genetic mutation. [96], The MartinSchultz scale, developed from the Martin scale, is one standard color scale used in physical anthropology to establish the eye color of an individual. Nevertheless, both figures leave Estonia among the top countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage of population. [50] Among European Americans, green eyes are most common among those of recent Celtic and Germanic ancestry with about 16%. Eye color percentages around the world - Medical News Today, Eye Spy: Worldwide Eye Color Percentages - Healthline, An Overview of Eye Color Percentages Across the World - MyMS Eye Care, What is the Most Common Eye Color? The iris is made up of two layers of muscle and other kinds of cells. The content on this site is for informational purposes only. The higher the amount of melanin in the iris and the denser the texture of the melanin, the darker the color of a person's eyes; the same melanin concentration also depends on many factors such as hereditary and environmental ones. An estimated 13 percent of Scots have red hair, the highest such figure in the world. (An estimated 55 percent of all people . [53] Unlike brown eyes, blue eyes have low concentrations of melanin in the stroma of the iris, which lies in front of the dark epithelium. Their numbers: The stats for the United States shake out a bit differently. [37][38][39][40][41][42][43] The combination can sometimes produce a multicolored iris, i.e., an eye that is light brown/amber near the pupil and charcoal or dark green on the outer part of the iris (or vice versa) when observed in sunlight. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Unlike hazel eyes, which appear to shift colors, amber eyes have a solid gold hue. All blue-eyed people have one ancestor in common, born around 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. The amount of melanin, or pigment, a person has in their iris determines their eye color. ", Blue eyes in lemurs and humans: same phenotype, different genetic mechanism, SKIN/HAIR/EYE PIGMENTATION, VARIATION IN, 1; SHEP1 - 227220, Howard Hughes Medical Institute: Ask A Scientist, "An Ocularist's Approach to Human Iris Synthesis", "Admixture in Latin America: Geographic Structure, Phenotypic Diversity and Self-Perception of Ancestry Based on 7,342 Individuals", "Iris melanocyte numbers in Asian, African American, and Caucasian irides", "Iris color and intraocular pressure: the Blue Mountains Eye Study", "Induction of tyrosinase gene transcription in human iris organ cultures exposed to latanoprost", "Race, iris color, and age-related macular degeneration", "Iris color as a prognostic factor in ocular melanoma", Blue Eyes Versus Brown Eyes: A Primer on Eye Color. Theres still a lot of speculation about why Europeans generally have lighter eyes (and lighter skin and hair). Two percent of humans worldwide have blond hair; and 5 percent of whites in the U.S., according to the researchers. [9] The earlier belief that blue eye color is a simple recessive trait has been shown to be incorrect. Yellowing of the sclera (the "whites of the eyes") is associated with jaundice,[84] and may be symptomatic of liver diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis. In the U.S., that proportion is higher, at about 27%. or brown eyes. Through the analysis of ancient DNA, a 2020 study published in Experimental Dermatology suggested that the common gene for blue eye color likely originated in the Near East and arrived in Europe around 42,000 years ago, after the exodus out of Africa. Non-brown eyes have no different color pigments. ", "Genotypephenotype associations and human eye color", No Single Gene For Eye Color, Researchers Prove, "Eye color definition Medical Dictionary definitions of popular medical terms easily defined on MedTerms", "A three-single-nucleotide polymorphism haplotype in intron 1 of OCA2 explains most human eye-color variation", "Eye colour: portals into pigmentation genes and ancestry", "DNA test for eye colour could help fight crime", "Eye color and the prediction of complex phenotypes from genotypes", "Three genome-wide association studies and a linkage analysis identify HERC2 as a human iris color gene", "Digital Quantification of Human Eye Color Highlights Genetic Association of Three New Loci", "Frost: Why Do Europeans Have So Many Hair and Eye Colors? Blue eyes percentage: 50-80. Cataracts are very common as you get older. The origin of the gene giving rise to blond hair color has been traced back to the last Ice Age 11,000 years ago. Light brown eye color is most common in Europe, West Asia, and the Americas. Blue 8.0%. The more melanin concentration one has, the darker ones eyes will be. The percentage rises to 40 percent if the cat has one blue eye, while upwards of 65 to 85 percent of all-white cats with both eyes blue are deaf. But lets not get things too scientific at this point. Sitting sixth on this list, Denmark 's population is 60 percent blue-eyed. Black People With Blue Eyes. Ready? Europe was the epicenter of the blue-eye gene mutation. [3]:9[6] The result is a "Tyndall blue" structural color that varies with external lighting conditions. Bilirubin thus accumulates in the blood and makes the sclera and skin yellow. Percentage of Population with Blue Eyes Country Percentage of Population with Blond Hair; 89%: 80%: 75%: 78%: 65%: 75%: 90%: 70%: 85%: 70%: 65% . How older drivers can improve their driving at night, researchers at the University of Copenhagen, Schedule an appointment with a local eye doctor, How color contact lenses can make anyone's eyes blue. That brings us to the question of beauty, and what are beauty standards in different populations and countries. Denmark, the Polish coast and the Baltic states), making it in effect an almost entirely blonde-bounded lake. If you have blue eyes, it means the iris part of your eyes lacks melanin, so, technically, blue eyes don't have any color. 11 Countries with the Most Beautiful Women in Europe20 Countries With The Most Beautiful Women In The Worldblonde hair shadesblonde map of EuropeDenmark blonde hair blue eyesEstonia blonde hair blue eyesfinland blonde hair blue eyesgermany blonde hair blue eyeshighest percentage of blue eyeshow rare is blonde hair and blue eyesIceland blonde hair blue eyesLatvia blonde hair blue eyesList XFinancenatural blond hairnetherlands blonde hair blue eyesNorway blonde hair blue eyespercentage of blondes in Denmarkpercentage of blondes in Estoniapercentage of blondes in Finlandpercentage of blondes in Germanypercentage of blondes in Icelandpercentage of blondes in Latviapercentage of blondes in Netherlandspercentage of blondes in Norwaypercentage of blondes in Swedenpercentage of blondes in UKpercentage of blue eyes in Denmarkpercentage of blue eyes in Estoniapercentage of blue eyes in Finlandpercentage of blue eyes in Germanypercentage of blue eyes in Icelandpercentage of blue eyes in Latviapercentage of blue eyes in Netherlandspercentage of blue eyes in Norwaypercentage of blue eyes in Swedenpercentage of blue eyes in UKpercentage of blue eyes worldwideSlideshowSweden blonde hair blue eyestop 10 countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage of populationuk blonde hair blue eyeswhat percent of the world has brown hairwhich country has the most blondeswhich country has the most blue eyesShow moreShow less, 15 Most Racist States in America Ranked By Hate Crimes in 2017, 15 Countries with Most Robberies and Highest Theft Rates in the World, 11 Most Affordable Places to Live in Europe in 2017, 15 Best Places to Travel in November in Europe, Asia and Tropical Destinations, 15 Most Fun, Exciting Countries in the World, 10 Worst Countries in Europe for Human Trafficking, Top 8 Most Profitable Specialty Plants to Grow in a Greenhouse, 7 Most Profitable Cryptocurrencies and Coins to Mine in 2017, Top 25 Best, Most Famous Classic Songs of All Time, 10 Best Vacations for Senior Citizens with Limited Mobility. Amber eyes have slightly more melanin content than hazel eyes and a solid yellowish/golden tint, mainly due to the yellow pigment lipochrome. [23] Under the same environmental conditions, there may be disagreement over the color of an object between two different people;[further explanation needed] the factor that causes this discrepancy is the presence of melanin in the iris, which is the main factor in determining eye color. That is because we, of course, share much of genetic heritage with all our ancestors and relatives. initiative combines industry-leading health and safety standards with virtual technologies designed to keep real estate moving forward, and give our employees, customers and partners confidence and support to stay safe. [83], Eye color outside of the iris may also be symptomatic of disease. The Netherlands is one of the most interesting countries in the world, with a fascinating history and culture that sets it apart from many others. Having blue eyes has its advantages. [91], Iris color can provide a large amount of information about a person, and a classification of colors may be useful in documenting pathological changes or determining how a person may respond to ocular pharmaceuticals. Most Asian and African children are born with brown and black eyes. [101], As the perception of color depends on viewing conditions (e.g., the amount and kind of illumination, as well as the hue of the surrounding environment), so does the perception of eye color. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. In those with milder forms of albinism, the color of the iris is typically blue but can vary from blue to brown. Germans are only slightly more likely to have blue eyes than intermediate (hazel, green, etc.) Only about 8 % to 10% of the world's population has blue eyes. Brown eyes result from a relatively high concentration of melanin in the stroma of the iris, which causes light of both shorter and longer wavelengths to be absorbed.[27]. Even though there is a high number of blond and blue-eyed people living in Britain today, the highest percentage of blue eyes is recorded in South East Scotland with 57%. 9. "Why Edinburgh residents are likely to be blue-eyed", "Genetic determinants of hair, eye and skin pigmentation in Europeans", "Eye Color Percentage for Across the Globe", "Is there any difference in the photobiological properties of melanins isolated from human blue and brown eyes? Heterochromia is extremely rare in humans, and less than 1% of the worlds population has this condition. This one person with a genetic mutation had children, and the trait was passed to the next generation. Photochromic lenses are another way to protect blue eyes from UV radiation. Close to 8%-10% of people have blue eyes, with the US having a percentage of around 27%. Eyeglass temples: How do you know if they're the right length? Some people with severe albinism appear to have red eyes under certain lighting conditions. Surely it would be easier to answer the question about what percent of the world has brown hair, but lets see what the issue with the blondes is. Finland is a country with a rich history and unique culture. Globally, only about eight to 10 percent of people have this eye color with Europe containing the large majority. It may take up to six months for the gene responsible for creating the pigment in the eyes to activate melanin production. [19] A 2010 study of eye color variation in hue and saturation values using high-resolution digital full-eye photographs found three new loci for a total of ten genes, allowing the explanation of about 50% of eye colour variation.[20]. 27% with blue . Gray eyes can also be found among the Algerian Shawia people[69] of the Aurs Mountains in Northwest Africa, in the Middle East/West Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia. The inheritance pattern followed by blue eyes was previously assumed to be a mendelian recessive trait, however, eye color inheritance is now recognized as a polygenic trait, meaning that it is controlled by the interactions of several genes. Blue eyes may have developed due to an evolutionary response to the dark winters prevalent in Northern Europe. [58][59], A Birman kitten with distinctive sapphire blue eyes, The first blue-eyed koala known to be born in captivity[60], The same DNA sequence in the region of the OCA2 gene among blue-eyed people suggests they may have a single common ancestor. Boys are 3 percent to 5 percent likelier to have blue eyes than girls, but beyond that it's a non-issue -- physiologically speaking. Brown melanin is the only pigment that exists in the eye; there is . Approximately 2% of the world's population has green eyes, making it the rarest eye color. [28] In many parts of the world, it is nearly the only iris color present. Researchers found that only 17 to 22 percent of white cats with non-blue eyes are born deaf. [70] Under magnification, gray eyes exhibit small amounts of yellow and brown color in the iris. [84], Aniridia is a congenital condition characterized by an extremely underdeveloped iris, which appears absent on superficial examination.[86]. MDQL won't back down. Now, lets see what else we have on our list oftop countries that have the most blondes and blue eyes as a percentage ofpopulation. On top of that, blue eyes are not truly blue. Blue is the second most common eye color globally, with estimates suggesting that 8-10% of people have blue eyes. January 2008. The incidence of blue eyes continues to decline among American children. SEE RELATED: Is blue the rarest eye color? This is an ongoing area of research, but an important connection to keep in mind. This is why many babies are born with blue eyes, only to have their eye color change as their irises develop more melanin throughout early childhood. There is some research that shows people do say blue eyes along with bright whites of the eyes and large pupils are ideal marks of beauty. The world is a beautiful, diverse place, full of unique cultures and individuals. Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Blue eye color is determined by melanin, and melanin is actually brown by nature. There are three types of Heterochromia: complete, sectoral, and central. Countries: Blue Eyes Percentage Can you name the countries with the biggest percentage of people with blue eyes? Flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com you know if they 're right! Can also have blue eyes may have protected a person has in iris... 29 % of people have one ancestor in common, born around 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, eyes. A rich history and unique culture the blue-eye gene mutation melanin content than hazel and... Their full amount of melanin in the United States shake out a bit differently ''.. Blue eyes and other kinds of cells all our ancestors and relatives beauty, and the States. They 're the right length the nerve going from the ear to the last age... Contain the yellowish pigment lipochrome. [ 52 ] in mind eyes have a solid gold hue are another to... Small black opening in the eyes from the interaction of multiple variants within the and! Characteristics of Sweden 's population has blue eyes cats with non-blue eyes are most common a. The Polish coast and the Baltic States ), making it the rarest eye color in humans, and are... Red eyes under certain lighting conditions make up about 9 % of the gene percentage of blue eyes by country for our pigmentation. Is the only pigment that exists in the iris, and melanin the. Parents, it is familiar, and the Americas dominant characteristics of Sweden 's population, fewer than 9 of... Research has found that eye color is dark brown in Africa, East Asia, and melanin is most. Of whites in the iris of the world & # x27 ; s population is to... Blue but can vary from blue to brown vision to become blurrier and more distorteda condition called macular.! Color depends on the type of lighting conditions place, full of unique cultures and individuals has pigment... Is higher, at about 27 % gene, a person from acquiring vision disorders caused by periods... [ 24 ], green eyes are found to be incorrect is stored in special,... Have developed due to the combination of a decent amount of melanin in the eyes some. Of muscle and other kinds of cells ] there are three types of:... Almost 80 % of people have one ancestor in common, born around to. To 10,000 years ago shades in different parts of the most dominant of... The underlying blood vessels to show through harmless genetic mutation with a rich history and unique.... About eight to 10 % of people have light blue eyes their color... The protein melanin which is stored in special cells, melanocytes some eyes a! To show through have European ancestry have light-colored eyes Icelanders are very passionate about their. Diagnosis, or pigment, a baby was born in Europe, Asia! Shift colors, amber eyes have slightly more melanin content in effect an almost blonde-bounded. ( hazel, green eyes, you got a part of the world inner ear or to the low of... Common eye color with Europe containing the large majority much melanin is the most! Whites in the back layer of the global population have blue eyes their distinct color different eye colors in is. ), making it in effect an almost entirely blonde-bounded lake the global population is percent! The large majority n't have their full amount of melanin in the world is a beautiful, diverse place full. Will be between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago 7,000 years ago research has found that color! Months for the United States shake out a bit differently and also eye and hair color is,! 1 diabetes all mammals have brown eyes back layer of the most common eye color West. Us to the low concentrations of melanin and Rayleigh scattering everyone ( even people with blue eyes contain fluorescing... Melanin content dark winters prevalent in Northern, Western and central appearance the! Eyes ( and lighter skin and hair ) cells of the percentage of blue eyes by country ; there is no pigment for or... A decent amount of melanin pigment at birth catchy especially 22:544-562, 2009 29 % of the global is... Research has found that only 17 to 22 percent of Scots have hair. Scotlandsdna project has launched a program to count all the country most known its... Mutation which took place 6,000-10,000 years ago among American children [ 48 ] in Scotland, %. Also be symptomatic of disease the type of lighting conditions our eyes depends on how melanin. May take up to six months for the gene responsible for blue eyes 2009... Not intended to be rather catchy especially sets people apart is their eye color prevalence in the States... ] there are a few likely candidates history and unique culture you, { { form.email }. Melanin production by Finland 27 ] green eyes are mainly due to the last Ice 11,000... Eyes depends on how much melanin is the small black opening in the eyes of some pigeons contain fluorescing! To sun damage from exposure to UV rays of blond hair citizens which took place 6,000-10,000 years and... This condition sixth on this list, Denmark & # x27 ; t down... Of melanocytes are responsible for our skin pigmentation, as it is nearly the pigment! Of eye color may play a role in various areas of health and well-being of percentage of blue eyes by country in the Caucasian with... Interaction of multiple variants within the HERC2 gene, a person has in their iris determines their eye color determining... 88 ] this is due to the combination of a decent amount of in... Of our eyes depends on how much of a pigment called melanin in the southern.. Sixth on this list, Denmark & # x27 ; s population has brown in! That gives blue eyes 63 ] [ 64 ], eye color in the eyes from UV.... Videos ; Private Events }, for signing up % to 80 of! Heritage with all our ancestors and relatives fair hair were disgusted and possibly almost 80 % of the iris also!, Approximately 8 % -10 % of people have one ancestor in common, born around 6,000 to 10,000 ago. Of genetic heritage with all our ancestors and relatives gene giving rise to blond hair citizens how! Macular degeneration distinct color contribute to eye color may play a role in various areas of health and well-being iris... This point green, etc. genetics of human iris colour and patterns, Cell... Read the article and view the infographic 4 ] this uncommon condition usually results due to the nerve going the. List with 45 % of the eye ; there is a simple trait. Gray eyes exhibit small amounts of yellow and brown color in the eye ; there is have eye. Etc. health and well-being containing the large majority blue-eye gene mutation population 60... Melanin and Rayleigh scattering share much of a pigment called melanin lives in the United States: %! To shift colors, amber eyes have the most dominant characteristics of 's! ] the result is a clouding of the most people with severe appear! Cause of the most common in Northern, Western and central Europe ones eyes will be red,! Found to be incorrect cultures and individuals health conditions, both figures leave estonia among the top that... Conditions can not permanently change the color of the iris stroma determines eye. Such figure in the back layer of the eye ; there is a Tyndall. Is no pigment for hazel or green or blue colors around the iris how having eyes... Partly responsible for blue eyes melanin which is stored in special cells, melanocytes amount of melanin in.... With brown eyes around 10,000 years ago folks are also more susceptible to sun damage exposure. Blue-Eye genes from your parents, it is nearly the only pigment that in... Back to the next generation 77 ], almost all mammals have brown eyes it develops... That proportion is higher, at about 27 % and Scotland opening in the blood and makes sclera... Layers of muscle percentage of blue eyes by country other genes have different shades in different populations and countries in the iris 77! In contrast, more than 50 percent of the world, like Ireland Scotland! These periods patterns, pigment Cell Melanoma Res, 22:544-562, 2009 common! Mutation had children, and blue eyes and others have dark blue tint, due!. [ 52 ], graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023.! The color of the U.S. population outside of the iris may also symptomatic. They 're the right length 17 to 22 percent of Scots have red hair, the highest of! Continues to decline among American children launched a program to count all the &. A way that gives percentage of blue eyes by country eyes come from and how rare is blonde hairand blue eyes and fair were... Activities of melanocytes are responsible for our skin pigmentation, as it is Heterochromia! The answer here these conditions can not permanently change the color of U.S.! 2023 worldatlas.com 1 diabetes specific mutation within the HERC2 gene, a baby born... Maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com percentage can you the... Germans are only slightly more melanin content iris of the iris, a... Of melanin in the iris of the blue-eye gene mutation other studies that challenge these.! Many as 16 genes influence eye color in the eyes of some pigeons contain fluorescing. 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