Many people have ginger hair! Red hair, also known as ginger hair, is a relatively uncommon hair color.
Prevalence of Ginger Hair
Ginger hair is a distinct phenotype, characterized by its reddish hue. This coloration is due to a variation in the MC1R gene. As noted in our reference material, 2–6% of people of Northern or Northwestern European ancestry have red hair. This means it's significantly less common in other populations.
Geographic Distribution
The frequency of ginger hair varies considerably across the globe. It is most prevalent in:
- Scotland: A notably high percentage of the population has red hair.
- Ireland: Similar to Scotland, Ireland boasts a significant number of redheads.
- Northern England: The prevalence of red hair gradually decreases as you move south in England.
This uneven distribution highlights the genetic factors at play in determining hair color. The concentration of ginger hair in certain regions suggests a higher occurrence of the specific MC1R gene variants responsible for this unique coloration.
