Natural red hair is the rarest hair color globally. Only about 1-2% of the world's population is born with this striking auburn shade. This low prevalence is slightly higher in northwestern Europe, particularly in the British Isles (Ireland and Scotland).
Prevalence of Red Hair
- Globally: 1-2% of the population
- Higher prevalence: Northwestern Europe, especially the British Isles.
While other sources mention specific combinations like red hair and blue eyes as being exceptionally rare (0.17% of the population), the rarest hair color itself remains unequivocally red. The rarity of red hair stems from the recessive MC1R gene, which must be inherited from both parents to manifest this hair color.
Other Rare Hair Colors
While red is the rarest natural hair color, other shades are less common than black or brown. Blonde hair, for instance, is relatively rare compared to black hair, representing about 3% of the world's population.
