how rare are blue eyes

Blue eyes are uncommon globally, but not extremely rare: the best available estimates put them at about 8% to 10% of the world population. In the United States, they’re much more common, at roughly 27%.

Quick Scoop

• Blue eyes are the second most common eye color worldwide, behind brown.

• They are especially common in parts of Northern and Central Europe.

• They are not the rarest eye color; green, gray, amber, and some violet-toned eyes are rarer.

Why They Stand Out

Blue eyes look unusual mainly because they’re concentrated in certain regions and less common in the global population overall. That contrast makes them feel more striking than the raw percentage suggests.

Simple Take

If you want the short answer: blue eyes are fairly rare worldwide, but common enough that they’re not exceptional.