How Common Are Hazel Eyes Compared to Other Eye Colors?

Hazel eyes are often described as captivating and mysterious, and statistically, they are also rare. Globally, only around 5% of people have hazel eyes, making them significantly less common than brown and blue eyes, but more prevalent than green or gray.

In contrast, brown eyes dominate the global population, with estimates suggesting they are present in 70% to 79% of people worldwide, according to Medical News Today.

Blue eyes follow distantly with about 8% to 10%, while green eyes, although popularly perceived as beautiful, are truly rare, with only 2% of the global population exhibiting this color. Gray and amber each make up between 3% and 5%, depending on classification.

In the United States, the prevalence of hazel eyes is notably higher than the global average, estimated at 18%, due to genetic diversity and high rates of mixed European ancestry. This unique standing between common and rare makes hazel eyes a fascinating subject of genetic, cultural, and scientific interest.

Global Eye Color Prevalence

Hazel eyes are grouped among intermediate eye colors and are frequently misclassified, either as light brown, amber, or even green due to their multicolored and shifting appearance.

This often causes underreporting or variability in the data, depending on the classification system used.

United States Eye Color Distribution – More Than Just Brown and Blue

The United States is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, and this diversity is reflected in the range of eye colors found across the population.

Unlike much of the globe, where brown eyes overwhelmingly dominate, the U.S. shows a more even spread due to centuries of immigration from Northern, Southern, and Eastern Europe, as well as Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.

According to data compiled by sources including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and large-scale consumer surveys (such as those by YouGov and All About Vision), the distribution of eye color in the U.S. can be broken down as follows:

• Hazel eyes rank third in frequency among all Americans and are particularly prominent among individuals with European and Middle Eastern heritage. Their relative visibility in the U.S.—where they appear in nearly 1 in 5 people, stands in contrast to their global prevalence of just ~5%.
• Among non-Hispanic white Americans, hazel and green eyes are more likely to occur due to polygenic inheritance patterns and historic genetic admixture from diverse parts of Europe.
• Eye color distributions can vary by state and region as well. For example, blue and green eyes are more common in Midwestern and Northeastern states, while brown and hazel dominate in Southern and Southwestern states, reflecting regional demographic makeup.
• According to a 2024 YouGov America survey on self-reported eye color, hazel eyes were more frequently reported among women (20%) than men (16%), suggesting potential gender-based perception or expression differences.

Genetic Complexity of Hazel Eyes: Why They Are Rare and Variable

Hazel eyes are not the result of a single gene or a simple inheritance pattern. Instead, they are polygenic traits, meaning multiple genes contribute to their formation.

The main genes involved in eye color development include OCA2, HERC2, TYR, SLC45A2, and several others. These genes control the amount and distribution of melanin—the pigment that colors the skin, hair, and eyes—within the iris.

What makes hazel eyes distinct is the intermediate concentration of melanin combined with structural scattering of light, such as Rayleigh and Tyndall scattering, and the presence of lipochromes, yellow pigments that add a golden or greenish tint. This results in a multicolored iris that may contain:

This complexity means that two hazel-eyed parents may produce children with green, blue, brown, or hazel eyes, depending on the interaction of their genes. No single eye color inheritance chart can reliably predict hazel eyes due to the polygenic nature and the influence of modifier genes.

Regional Variation: Where Hazel Eyes Occur Most Frequently

According to population studies and genetic research, hazel eyes are most commonly found in countries where northern European, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and North African lineages have blended over time.

In the United States, about 18% of people are estimated to have hazel eyes—much higher than the global average of around 5%. This is largely due to the country’s diverse ancestry, particularly among people with Irish, German, Spanish, Italian, and Middle Eastern roots.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, hazel is the third most common eye color in the U.S., after brown and blue.

In the Middle East, hazel eyes are also relatively frequent, with estimated rates between 10% and 15% in countries like Lebanon, Iran, and Turkey. This is likely due to the region’s long history of migration and intermarriage among Arab, Persian, and Mediterranean populations.

Genetic variation in this region supports a wider range of phenotypes, including light and mixed eye colors.

Brazil and Argentina also show a noticeable presence of hazel eyes—roughly 10% of the population, thanks to immigration from Europe, particularly Portugal, Spain, Germany, and Italy. These countries also have smaller but influential communities of Middle Eastern descent, which further contribute to eye color diversity.

In Western Europe, especially in places like France, the UK, and Germany, hazel eyes are seen in about 8% to 12% of the population. This reflects a natural blending between traditionally blue-eyed northern Europeans and darker-eyed southern populations.

In contrast, regions with more genetic homogeneity, such as East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, show very low rates of hazel eyes, with brown being almost universally dominant. Studies in human genetics confirm that where populations have mixed across multiple continents and ethnic lines, traits like hazel eyes tend to appear more often.

Psychological and Social Perception of Hazel Eyes

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Interestingly, hazel eyes often rank high in attractiveness surveys and psychological studies that measure how people perceive others based on facial characteristics.

A study published by PubMed found that people with hazel or green eyes are often rated as more unique, creative, or mysterious, possibly because of the visual variability of the eye color under different lighting conditions.

This perception may also be reinforced by media and popular culture, where hazel eyes are often described as exotic or rare. Actors and public figures like Kristen Stewart, Tyra Banks, Ben Affleck, and David Beckham have all been noted for having hazel eyes, contributing to the color’s visibility and cultural impact.

Hazel Eyes vs. Other Ambiguous Eye Colors

Because hazel eyes often share characteristics with amber, green, and light brown, it’s important to understand the scientific differences between them. Here’s a more technical breakdown:

Many eye color apps and online surveys do not distinguish well between these colors, leading to inconsistent reporting in large datasets. Clinical classification usually relies on iris photographs under neutral lighting.

Eye Color Rarity Ranking: Global Context

To summarize eye color distribution by rarity and prevalence:

Hazel eyes occupy a middle ground; they are rare enough to be notable, but common enough in some populations to be seen in everyday life.

Their intermediate prevalence, especially in the U.S. and multicultural regions, sets them apart from both ends of the spectrum.

Methodology

To craft this article, we combined up-to-date scientific research, demographic data, and population genetics insights from reputable sources like the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Medical News Today, PubMed studies, and national surveys such as YouGov and All About Vision.

We looked at global and U.S.-based prevalence rates, regional population trends, and the genetic factors behind eye color—especially polygenic traits like hazel. Where exact percentages varied, we used median ranges supported by multiple sources.

We also included social perception studies and comparisons to related eye colors to give a full picture. The goal was to deliver a clear, informative, and naturally written article that’s grounded in real data but easy to understand.

Final Thoughts

Hazel eyes are a unique product of genetics, migration, and evolution. They represent more than just an intermediate point on the eye color spectrum; they are a marker of genetic diversity, particularly in populations that have seen centuries of admixture.

Genetic traits like eye color can also intersect with broader topics in heredity, such as the most common birth defects in the U.S., many of which have genetic components.

Their rich, multicolored appearance makes them both biologically and culturally significant. While they may not be the rarest, hazel eyes remain one of the most variable and visually dynamic eye colors, defying simple categorization and revealing the complex interplay of human genetics.

If you’re one of the few with hazel eyes—or curious about your ancestry, their presence offers clues about your genetic heritage and adds a layer of individuality that’s truly worth appreciating.

References

1. Medical News Today – Eye color percentage: How common are your eyes?
2. American Academy of Ophthalmology – Your Blue Eyes Aren’t Really Blue
3. National Institutes of Health (NIH) – The genetics of eye color
4. YouGov America – Eye Colors Poll Results (2024 PDF)
5. PMC (National Library of Medicine) – Genetic insights into pigmentation traits and eye color