This is one of the many strange facts about redheads. How many redheads are there? The genes responsible for red hair can express themselves to different extents in different people. Did you know that red hair and blue eyes are the rarest hair and eye color combination in the world? Mummies with red hair have been found as far afield as Peru and Egypt. Film and television programmes often portray school bullies as having red hair. This Is Exactly How Many People Have Red Hair - Best Life And where can you find the highest concentration of blondes? This is due to their light, fair skin which is extremely sensitive to ultraviolet rays of sunlight. The non-tanning skin associated with red hair may have been advantageous in far-northern climates where sunlight is scarce. You have to remember, however, most of them probably have European descendants. Nonetheless, individuals and families in Britain are targeted for harassment and violence because of their hair colour. Scotland is thought by some to have the highest concentration of redheads in the world, so maybe it was an appropriate location for the Ginger Pride march, led by Canadian comedian Shawn Hitchins. (Both derive from the same precursor molecule, POMC, and are structurally similar.) " In Ireland about 10 per cent have red hair, but it appears that a staggering 46 per cent are carriers of the red head variants," Moffat told the Daily Telegraph, " For England, the estimate is 6. Several studies show that redheads require about 20 percent more sedation than those with other hair colors. It shows that in most of Scotland and Ireland, as well as a random patch in central Russia, 10% of people are of the ginger genre. It turns out it was a mistake. Countries in the world by population (2023) This list includes both countries and dependent territories.Data based on the latest United Nations Population Division estimates. It's also known as Love Your Red Hair Day. Redheads on average need about 20% more anaesthetic when they go into the hospital for surgery. This country reportedly has up to 18 million redheads as of 2018. This also explains why we so often assume that people with red hair must be of some Irish or Scottish origin. The scientific explanation for this is that recessive traits usually come in pairs, and left handedness is also a recessive trait. [58] Other blogs and news sources ran similar stories that attributed the research to the magazine or the "Oxford Hair Foundation". What's with all the redheads in TV ads? - TODAY.com However, it is also one of the most widely discussed. The CRC relies upon publicly available data from multiple sources. [15], Red hair is also found amongst the Ashkenazi Jewish populations. It is held by some authorities that this was done to fertilize the fields and produce a bounteous harvest, red-hair symbolizing the golden wealth of the corn. This map shows the stark gap between vaccination programs . The USA has the highest redhead population of any country in the world, boasting between 6 and 18 million redheaded citizens. Listen to our podcast. Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria have a higher percentage of redheads than the rest of Asia. The Chinese characters for ang mo are the same as those in the historical Japanese term Km (), which was used during the Edo period (16031868) as an epithet for Dutch or Northern European people. [82], Many painters have exhibited a fascination with red hair. Alice Murphy is a contributor for WHO and New Idea. Mad Mens resident red bombshell Christina Hendricks made the hair colour popular all over again thanks to her timeless beauty. What is the percentage of redheads in the world? Estimates suggest that the percentage of redheads in Scotland is roughly 6%. Q: Do people with ginger hair colour feel pain more severely? The number of 2-17 year olds who experienced the most severe forms of violence in the past year is estimated to be at least 64% of children in Asia, 56% in Northern America, 50% in Africa, 34% in Latin America, and 12% in Europe. Fun fact: Both Kidman and Graham are part of the worlds tiny community of people who have both redhair and blue eyes! The term "redhead" has been in use since at least 1510. Approximately 1 to 2% of the world's population has red hair. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Putting names to archive photos, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, In photos: India's disappearing single-screen cinemas. Normally, you wouldnt see people with brown or black skin having read hair. Additional Redhead Sightings 14. The genetic variant causes MC1R to function differently on melanocytes, leading to less eumelanin and more pheomelanin. 1 in 10 Irish people has red hair, making them second in the world after Scotland for number of redheads per capita. Percentage of Redheads by Country 2023 - worldpopulationreview.com Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. By Nathaniel Scharping Apr 28, 2020 8:00 AM. [86], Red hair was thought to be a mark of a beastly sexual desire and moral degeneration. The term ang mo (Chinese: ; pinyin: hng mo; Peh-e-j: ng-mo) in Hokkien (Min Nan) Chinese, meaning "red-haired",[113] is used in Malaysia and Singapore, although it refers to all white people, never exclusively people with red hair. 39. 64. ), are described as "admoni", meaning red or ruddy.[44]. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, However, a HowStuffWorks article says that the foundation was funded by hair-dye maker Procter & Gamble, and that other experts had dismissed the research as either lacking in evidence or simply bogus. As a boy he had bright red hair, and it is amusingly recorded that one day in the streets of Norwich a number of boys followed him, pointing to his red locks and saying, "Look at that boy; he's got a bonfire on the top of his head," and that John Gurney was so disgusted that he went to a barber's, had his head shaved, and went home in a wig. Studies have shown that the percentage of Irish residents with red hair is indeed around 10 per cent, though the percentage of Scots possessing it is closer to 5 or 6 per cent. Nicole Hahn Rafter (ed), Lombroso & Ferraro, Discrimination against people with red hair, "Celts' red hair could be attributed to the cloudy weather", "Auld Reekie is world capital for ginger hair", "Edinburgh is surprise capital of redheaded Britain and Ireland", "Memoir on the Pigmentation Survey of Scotland", "Pastoralists and mobility in the Oglakhty cemetery of southern Siberia: new evidence from stable isotopes", Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, "Journal of the Polynesian Society: Front Matter P 1-6", Xenophanes of Colophon: Fragments, Xenophanes, J. H. Lesher, University of Toronto Press, 2001, "Characterization of melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor variant alleles in twins with red hair", "Evidence for Variable Selective Pressures at MC1R", "Hair color gene study sheds new light on roots of redheads' locks", "Genome-wide study of hair colour in UK Biobank explains most of the SNP heritability", "Why do some men have red beards, but not red hair? "The probable reason for that is that we make vitamin D in our skin. 51. If you're a brunette but find yourself suddenly going red, check your diet. The Ancient historian Josephus would mistranslate the Hebrew Torah to describe the more positive figure of King David as 'golden haired', in contrast to the negative figure of Esau, even though the original Hebrew Torah implies that both King David and Esau had 'fiery red hair'. Red hair can originate from several changes on the MC1R-gene. 22. Preference for Ginger over Mary Ann using Google searches. [2], Cultural reactions to red hair have been varied. Also, some Riffians in Morocco and Kabyles in Algeria have red hair. In Britain, redheads are also sometimes referred to disparagingly as "carrot tops" and "carrot heads". For a child to be born a redhead, both parents must be genetic carriers ofthe MC1R gene. These ones are brought to you by Eupedia. The pigment in their hair that causes it to be red will just fade over time, causing their hair to turn blonde or white, but never gray. This leads some to associate red hair with youthfulness, a quality that is generally considered desirable. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes story "The Red-Headed League" (1891) involves a man who is asked to become a member of a mysterious group of red-headed people. However, some red-bearded people lack MC1R genes. This is thought to be connected to a hormonal receptor found in redheaded individuals which is related to pain-relieving endorphins. If that was the case in Scotland, that would suggest that the country with its population of 5.3 million was home to just over half a million redheads - less than 1% of the global total. However, it's most common in people of Northern European descent. 66. The amount varies a bit, from less than a percent to likely over 2 percent, depending on our heritage. A scientist told ScotlandNow: "I think the regressive gene is slowly dying out Climate change could see a decline in the number of people with red hair in Scotland." [1], Red hair varies in hue from a deep burgundy or bright copper, or auburn, to burnt orange or red-orange to strawberry blond. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? Q: Red hair is beautiful, but are there any disadvantages to being a redhead? "But most of the people on this planet don't live in Europe and if you just think about Asia, it's very, very rare to see somebody with red hair. In Scotland around 6% of the population has red hair, with the highest concentration of red head carriers in the world found in Edinburgh, making it the red head capital of the world. Thanks to their lack of melanin, redheads burn more quickly and severely than other hair colours. [55][56], A DNA study has concluded that some Neanderthals also had red hair, although the mutation responsible for this differs from that which causes red hair in modern humans. Boars taught the experts that redheads may be at high risk for cellular damage from free radicals, and a study of more than 1,400 species of birds suggested that the pigment may be associated with smaller brain size. Riverdale actress Madelaine Petsch is a proud natural ginger, as is House of Cards alum Kate Mara. [fn 1][9], Byzantine writers, Jordanes and Procopius described the early Slavic peoples as having ruddy hair and skin tone. As previously mentioned, ginger hair occurs naturally in an average of just two percent of the worlds population, while only 17 percent of humans have blue eyes. Q: Who are the most famous redhead celebrities? Redhead - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia It is significant that in ancient Egypt, as Manetho tells us, human sacrifices were offered at the grave of Osiris, and the victims were red-haired men who were burned, their ashes being scattered far and wide by winnowing-fans. He grew up, however, a remarkably attractive-looking young man. 21. Do redheads have less hair? This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. Facts and frequently asked questions about the worlds most unusual hair colour. Covid World Vaccination Tracker - The New York Times "I wouldn't say there are no reliable estimates, but the ideal way to do this would of course be like the census, where everybody's examined at various ages and you have robust data. [98] A possible fringe theory explaining the historical and modern mistreatment of red-heads supposedly stems from subjugation and consequent persecution of Celtic Nations. In November 2008 social networking website Facebook received criticism after a 'Kick a Ginger' group, which aimed to establish a "National Kick a Ginger Day" on 20 November, acquired almost 5,000 members. Read about our approach to external linking. [61], Red hair and its relationship to UV sensitivity are of interest to many melanoma researchers. [85], A book of photographs of red haired people was published in 2020, Gingers by Kieran Dodds (2020). It is often said that between 1% and 2%, or 70 to 140 million people around the world, have red hair. Dark hair turning red can be a sign of protein deficiency. However, in rare cases red hair can be associated with disease or genetic disorder: There have also been rare reports of scalp or beard hair spontaneously turning partially red, with no identified pathological cause.[76]. A small study in the journal Anesthesiology found that redheaded women required 19 percent more of the anesthesia desflurane to be put to sleep than women with dark hair. Romans valued slaves with ginger hair more highly. Britain has a tradition that says if the first call you receive on New Year's Day is from a redhead, then you'll have bad luck all year. Less than two percent of the world's population has naturally red hair. Afghanistan. Other painters notable for their redheads include the Pre-Raphaelites, Edmund Leighton, Modigliani,[83] and Gustav Klimt.[84]. Industry % of GDP. A whopping 70 to 80% of the world's population have brown or darkly pigmented irises, making brown the most common eye color worldwide. Because of their commonly fair skin and sensitivity to ultraviolet light, redheads are more likely to develop skin cancer. Jennie is a Manchester native who discovered a love of teaching and travel whilst teaching at a kindergarten in China, and has spent her time since then becoming an expert in both. 9 Strange Facts About Redheads You Never Knew Before However, redheads always have pale skin and are more susceptible to sunburn and associated melanomas than brunette or blonde haired individuals. Red hair frequency is especially significant among the Riffians from Morocco and Kabyles from Algeria,[24][25][26] respectively. As science journalist Maggie Koerth-Baker writes, Actually, redheads are stealthily infiltrating the rest of humanity. Heres her proof: Even though only 2 percent of people have red hair, 4 percent have the gene that makes redheads. Additionally, the people of Poland at one time had a redheaded population of approximately 5%. The prevalence of red hair may be slightly higher in Scotland than in England, Rees says, adding that it may be even higher in the Republic of Ireland. [129][130], In the Iliad, Achilles' hair is described as ksanths ([131]), usually translated as blonde, or golden[132] but sometimes as red or tawny. 36. A detailed history, The ending of Sex/Life season 2 explained, The top hairdryers for a salon-like shine, "My hair barely grew, until I tried this", 13 clarifying shampoos to detox your hair, "My thoughts on Pattern Beauty's blow dryer", Kim K's new bangs are a throwback to 2012, 14 dry shampoos that *perform* on greasy hair days. More than 1,600 people participated in this Redhead Day Festival that took place in Breda, a Netherlands city. [52][53], Red hair is the rarest natural hair color in humans. In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) state . Eighty percent of redheads have an MC1R gene variant within the RHC. Are the Shrine Drop It toners worth the hype? Scotland boasts the highest percentage of natural redheads, with 13% (40% might carry the gene. Considering that in most places across the globe, redheads make up less than one percent of the population, Ireland's abundance of redheads is even more astonishing. Characterized by high levels of the reddish pigment pheomelanin and relatively low levels of the dark pigment eumelanin, it is associated with fair skin color, lighter eye color, freckles, and sensitivity to ultraviolet light. [29], Ancient human remains described as having red or auburn hair have been discovered in various parts of Asia including the Tarim mummies of Xinjiang, China. 54. 2. In Scotland around 6% of the population has red hair, with the highest concentration of red head carriers in the world found in Edinburgh, making it the red head capital of the world. which relates to an imbalance of melanin in the bodys skin and hair cells. [105] The word "rufus" has been used in both Australian and British slang to refer to red-headed people;[106] based on a variant of rufous, a reddish-brown color. ", In his 1895 memoir and history The Gurneys of Earlham, Augustus John Cuthbert Hare described an incident of harassment: Approximately 2-6% of the US population is redheaded, giving the US the largest redhead population in the world at 6-18 million people. At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. What Percentage of the World Population Has Red Hair? Scotland has the highest percentage of redheads in the world, at 13% of the population. Most red hair is caused by the MC1R gene and is non-pathological. [30] In Chinese sources, ancient Kyrgyz people were described as fair-skinned, green- or blue-eyed and red-haired people with a mixture of European and East Asian features. List of sovereign states by percentage of population living in poverty Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Tarim mummies have been found with red hair dating to the 2nd millennium BC. [40] The ancient peoples Budini and Sarmatians are also reported by Greek author to be blue-eyed and red-haired, and the latter even owe their names to it. While the numbers and percentages don't quite put Great Britain in the realm of Ireland and Scotland, it remains one of the more highly populated countries regarding its number of redheads. (Hucknall, who says that he has repeatedly faced prejudice or been described as ugly on account of his hair colour, argues that Gingerism should be described as a form of racism. Some scientific studies have found that bees are more attracted to people with red hair. Although the Jewish people have been displaced over the years, it is still guesstimated that around 10% of Jewish men have red hair or beards. Eye color percentages around the world - Medical News Today 68. In Ireland, the percentage of population with red hair is very high relative to the rest of the world at around 10%, with 46% carrying the gene. But can it really be true that Scotland is home to almost a fifth of the world's redheads? The highest percentages of fair-haired people can be found around the Baltic Sea (e.g. As science journalist Maggie Koerth-Baker writes, "Actually, redheads are stealthily infiltrating the rest of humanity." Here's her proof: Even though only 2 percent of people have red hair, 4. If the parent is a carrier but does not have ginger hair themselves, there is roughly a 25 percent chance their baby will have red hair. Red hair colour is also relatively common in Wales, England, Iceland and Norway. Supernatural redhead facts from myth and legend to astonish and intrigue you. In Africa, red hair has been noticed on the Berber of Algeria and Morocco. Abusing us is not acceptable prejudice", "Harriet Harman says 'ginger rodent' comment was wrong", "Harriet Harman apologises for 'ginger rodent' jibe at Danny Alexander", "Sperm bank can't find takers for red-haired genes", "Academic Traditions, Urban Dynamics and Colonial Threat: The Rise of Ethnography in Early Modern Japan", "Japanning for southern barbarians: Some of the first items traded with the West were decorated with maki-e lacquer", "The Irish Redhead Convention takes place in County Cork", "Ginger Pride festival will be held in 2016 to celebrate redheads", "Israel holds first conference for 'gingers', Fifty shades of orange: A conference on Kibbutz Gezer redheads, Finally, a Red Alert This Summer That (Most) Israelis Welcomed, "Photos: We Visited The Only Festival For Redheads In The U.S.", "Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible", "Biblos Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Red_hair&oldid=1141867721, Geographic Names Register of NSW not in Wikidata, Articles containing Chinese-language text, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2023, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2012, Articles containing simplified Chinese-language text, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text, Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 07:09. In Russia, ginger hair is believed to be a sign of having a hot temper and being a bit of a wild child. A:Roughly one to two percent of the worlds population are born with natural red hair - thats still a sizable number of about 140 million!There are more redheads in northern and western Europe than in any other region on earth, where an average of up to six percent of people have red or ginger hair. ", "Pleiotropic effects of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene on human pigmentation", "The genetics of sun sensitivity in humans", "Increased sensitivity to thermal pain and reduced subcutaneous lidocaine efficacy in redheads", "Do redheads really feel more pain? 3. In Africa, red hair has been noticed on the Berber of Algeria and Morocco. The International Journal of Cancer reported in 2010 that natural redheads are approximately two and a half times as likely to develop the dangerous cancer as people with other hair hues. Local businesses with "redhead" or "redheaded" in name per 10,000 residents. For other uses, see, Medical implications of the red hair gene, Prejudice and discrimination against redheads. [46], The alleles Arg151Cys, Arg160Trp, Asp294His, and Arg142His on MC1R are shown to be recessives for the red hair phenotype. Mark Twain once said that while most humans are descended from apes, people with red hair come from cats. If you're a redhead with blue eyes, you're a unicorn. 56. R (eds) Mechanisms of suntanning. That's approximately 140 million people. Find out the secrets ER staff wont tell you. 26. .Each strand of red hair is thicker than strands of other colours, so although redheads have fewer strands, they still have plenty of hair. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. During the early stages of modern medicine, red hair was thought to be a sign of a sanguine temperament. Scientists have found evidence that Neanderthals had a similar gene to the one that gives humans red hair. [68] Other research publications have concluded that women with naturally red hair require less of the painkiller pentazocine than do either women of other hair colors or men of any hair color. [11][12] Later by the 10th century, Southern Slavic populations would have darker hair and skin tone, as the Slavs assimilated the indigenous inhabitants of the Balkans, including Greek and Illyrian peoples. 9. Click on the name of the country or dependency for current estimates (live population clock), historical data, and projected figures. The results? 29. Most natural redheads have brown eyes, followed by green or hazel coloured irises. If your hair is red, your MC1R gene will have . In Africa, for example, red hair is selected against because high levels of sun harm pale skin. Some people think that because red hair is carried by a recessive gene, redheads might be going extinct. As they can't sufficiently absorb Vitamin D (it's down to their lower melanin-concentration), redheads internally produce their own Vitamin D when they're exposed to low light conditions. It primarily referred to Dutch traders who were the only Europeans allowed to trade with Japan during Sakoku, its 200-year period of isolation.[117]. It shows that in most of Scotland and Ireland, as well as a random patch in central Russia, 10% of people are of the ginger genre.