Countries with the Highest Percentage of People with Blue and Green Eyes

Interesting as it may be, it is in Northern and Eastern Europe where you'll find the largest concentrations of people with blue and green eyes. This region boasts a remarkable prevalence of individuals with these unique eye colors. Here, we explore the countries with the highest percentages and the reasons behind this intriguing distribution.

Top Countries for Blue and Green Eyes

1. Iceland

One of the most eye-catching findings is in Iceland, where a significant portion of the population has blue or green eyes. In fact, it's estimated that over 88% of Icelanders have either blue or green eyes, making it one of the most visually distinctive countries in the world.

2. Scotland

Scotland is another remarkable location for natural eye color diversity. Approximately 40% of Scots have blue eyes, with a notable number also possessing green eyes. This amounts to about 40% of Scot's having blue eyes, and 20% with green eyes. The combined percentage is more than half of the population.

3. Other Nordic and Baltic Countries: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are also notable for their substantial blue eye prevalence. A staggering 89% of Finns have blue eyes, while Estonia isn't far behind with a similar percentage. Latvia and Lithuania follow with high percentages of around 80%. It's worth noting that these percentages are significantly higher than the worldwide average, which hovers around 8-10%.

4. Northern and Western Europe: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Ireland

Norway, Sweden, and Denmark join the ranks with similar high percentages of blue-eyed individuals. In these countries, over 86% of the population have blue or green eyes. In Ireland, 58% of the population have blue eyes, making it one of the highest in the world.

Blue and Green Eyes Across Europe

The prevalence of blue and green eyes decreases as you move south and east in Europe. However, the effect is not linear; some countries further south still have a noticeable percentage of blue eyes, indicating a complex genetic distribution pattern. This includes countries like Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Switzerland, where blue and green eyes are relatively common.

Other European Countries with a High Percentage of Blue and Green Eyes

Belarus Russia Netherlands North Germany Britain Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada) Sweden, Norway, and Finland, as mentioned

Some Specific Observations

Contrary to the general belief that green eyes are primarily found in Northern Europe, the prevalence of green eyes is not as high as blue eyes, especially in Iceland and Scotland, where blue eyes are more common. In Estonia and Finland, it's very rare to find green eyes compared to blue or light gray-blue eyes. In these countries, light gray-blue eyes can make up an unimaginable percentage, though specific figures are not provided in the original text.

A more detailed analysis shows that the percentage of people with green eyes is quite rare in these regions, with green eyes being less than 5% of the population. Therefore, the perception that green eyes are more common in Northern Europe might be slightly misleading.

Notable Exceptions

Some exceptions include countries where blue eyes are less common. For instance, the Netherlands and northern Germany, while still having a significant percentage of blue-eyed people (around 70%), do not reach the same high levels as Northern Europe.

Conclusion

The prevalence of blue and green eyes is a fascinating subject, highlighting the genetic diversity of Northern and Eastern Europe. This region is home to the highest concentrations of these unique eye colors, making it a visual spectacle that continues to intrigue people worldwide. The exact reasons behind this genetic prevalence are still under study, but it's clear that Northern Europe is a remarkable place for anyone interested in unique eye colors.