Having bluish grey eyes is considered relatively rare worldwide, though the exact prevalence varies by geographic region and ancestry. In this article, we’ll look at what causes eyes to be this unique color, examine global statistics on how common they are, and discuss some interesting facts about people with bluish grey eyes.
What Causes Eyes to be Bluish Grey?
Eye color is determined by the amount and type of pigment in the iris. Most people have brown eyes, which is due to having a high concentration of melanin. People with blue eyes have much less melanin in their irises, allowing light to scatter and reflect back out to produce a blue color.
Bluish grey eyes fall somewhere in between – they have a bit more melanin than blue eyes, giving them a darker, slate grey appearance rather than a pure light blue. The specific hue can range from blue-tinged light grey to dark grey with subtle hints of blue throughout.
The level of melanin is controlled by genetics – specifically, by how many copies a person has of a gene called OCA2. The more copies of the recessive version of this gene, the less melanin produced. So bluish grey eyes indicate having some but not a lot of the gene variant associated with blue eyes.
Global Prevalence of Bluish Grey Eyes
Globally, brown eyes are by far the most common, with an estimated 79% of the world’s population having them. In contrast, blue eyes are quite rare at only 8% prevalence worldwide. Bluish grey eyes fall somewhere in between these extremes in terms of rarity.
The highest rates of bluish grey eyes are found in Europe, especially in Northern and Eastern regions. Countries like Finland, Russia, and the Baltic states have some of the world’s highest levels of this eye color. Even within Europe though, they are still considered unique and striking compared to more common shades like blue.
In the United States, about 16.6% of the population has blue eyes. Based on more limited data, estimates suggest perhaps around 5-7% have bluish grey eyes specifically. This would equate to roughly 15-20 million Americans with the eye color out of the total population.
Here’s a look at the estimated prevalence of bluish grey eyes in select countries:
| Country | Estimated % with Bluish Grey Eyes |
|---|---|
| Finland | 19% |
| Estonia | 17% |
| Russia | 16% |
| United States | 5-7% |
| China | Less than 1% |
| Nigeria | Less than 1% |
As the table shows, bluish grey eyes get progressively rarer in non-European groups. They are extremely unusual in parts of Africa and Asia with darker complexions.
Fun Facts About People with Bluish Grey Eyes
Beyond the genetics behind the color, there are some interesting quirks and associations linked to having bluish grey eyes:
- They are sometimes called “wolf eyes” because of their similarity to the eye shade often seen in wolves and huskies.
- People with lighter eye colors like blue and grey may be slightly more sensitive to sunlight and prone to eye issues like photokeratitis.
- Those with bluish grey eyes are thought to have a slightly higher melanin concentration than those with pure light blue eyes.
- Youth with this eye shade often experience a darkening to more grey or hazel by adulthood as melanin levels increase.
- Bluish grey eyes are considered a prized and attractive color in many cultures.
- Poets and novelists sometimes use descriptive phrases like “eyes the color of a stormy sea” when referring to bluish grey eyes.
- People with this eye color make up a very small minority, giving them a distinctive look in many parts of the world.
Conclusion
Bluish grey eyes stand out as a rare and unique eye color worldwide. They come about from having some but not a lot of melanin in the iris, producing a hue between blue and grey. Northern European ethnicities have the highest rates, while globally they account for only a very small percentage of people. Besides genetics, bluish grey eyes have also developed intriguing symbolic associations in language and culture over time. So in summary, while not extremely rare, bluish grey eyes certainly count as an uncommon and special eye color in humans.
