There is a common myth that redheads are going extinct. The myth is often perpetuated by headlines like “Redheads will be extinct by the year 2060!” or “Scientists predict the end of redheads within a century!” However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.

It is true that red hair is rare

It is true that red hair is a relatively rare hair colour, with only 1-2% of the global population having red hair. However, the prevalence of red hair varies significantly across different regions of the world. For example, in Scotland, around 13% of the population has red hair, while in Ireland, Wales, and England, the prevalence is around 10%. In contrast, in some Asian and African countries, the prevalence of red hair is less than 0.1%.

Non red-haired parents can still carry the red hair gene

The idea that redheads are going extinct is based on the assumption that the gene for red hair is recessive and that it will gradually be bred out of the population over time. However, this is a flawed assumption. While the gene for red hair is recessive, it can still be passed down through generations, even if both parents do not have red hair themselves, as the gene for red hair is not limited to people who actually have red hair. So the gene for red hair will continue to exist in the population, even if the prevalence of redheads decreases over time, as they may still be carrying the gene and can still pass it down to their children. This is the difference between genotype and phenotype.

Conclusion

The idea that redheads are going extinct is a myth. While red hair is a relatively rare hair colour, there is no evidence to suggest that it is disappearing from the population. Redheads will continue to exist, and their unique hair colour will continue to be a source of fascination and admiration for generations to come.

And don’t forget to check out other articles in our Ginger Red Hair Facts category.