Which Blood Type is The Rarest? Here Are The Least to Most Common Blood Types

Understanding blood types is crucial for various medical procedures, including transfusions and organ transplants. Blood types are classified based on the presence or absence of certain antigens on red blood cells. Here’s a detailed look at the eight main blood types, from the least to the most common, and a special mention of the rarest blood type in the world.

O-Positive (O+)

Prevalence: 37.4% of the population
O-positive is the most common blood type, making up 37% of the U.S. population. It is found in 47% of African Americans, 53% of Latino Americans, 39% of Asians, and 37% of Caucasians.¹ O+ blood can be given to any positive blood type, which is the least rare.

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A-Positive (A+)

Prevalence: 35.7% of the population
A-positive is the second most common blood type. It occurs in 33% of Caucasians, 24% of African Americans, 27% of Asians, and 29% of Latino Americans. This type can donate to A and AB positive blood types.

B-Positive (B+)

Prevalence: 8.5% of the population
B positive is less common than A or O blood types but is still significant. This blood type can donate to B and AB blood types and receive from B and O blood types. As far as rare blood types go, B-Positive is rare but not quite THAT rare.

O-Negative (O-)

Prevalence: 6.6% of the population
O negative is known as the universal donor type because it can be given to patients of any blood type in emergencies. However, only 7% of the U.S. population has O- blood.² This type is crucial for trauma patients and newborns.

A-Negative (A-)

Prevalence: 6.3% of the population
A negative blood type is somewhat rare. It is found in 6% of Caucasians, 2% of African Americans, 0.5% of Asians, and 2% of Latino Americans. People with A- blood can donate to A and AB blood types.

AB-Positive (AB+)

Prevalence: 3.4% of the population
AB positive is rare but more common than AB negative. AB+ individuals are universal plasma donors and can receive red blood cells from any blood type, making them universal recipients.

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B-Negative (B-)

Prevalence: 1.5% of the population
B negative blood type is uncommon and is found in 2% of Caucasians, 1% of African Americans, 0.4% of Asians, and 1% of Latino Americans. This blood type can donate red blood cells to both B-positive and B-negative recipients.

AB-Negative (AB-)

Prevalence: Less than 1% of the population
AB negative is the rarest of the eight main blood types. This type occurs in only 0.6% of the U.S. population and is even rarer globally. People with AB- blood can receive red blood cells from all negative blood types but can only donate to other AB-negative or AB-positive individuals.³

The Rarest of Them All: Rhnull (Golden Blood)

Prevalence: Less than 1 in 6 million people
Rhnull, also known as golden blood, is the rarest blood type in the world. Individuals with Rhnull blood lack all Rh antigens on their red blood cells. This type is only found in about 40 people in the world are known to have it.⁴ Rhnull blood is extremely valuable for transfusions in individuals with similarly rare blood types.

Why Rare Blood Types Matter

Rare blood types are crucial for certain medical treatments. For example, the Ro subtype, which is common among Black people, is vital for treating sickle cell disease. Demand for this subtype is increasing annually by 10-15%. Blood donations from people with rare types can save lives, especially for those requiring frequent transfusions or specific antigen matches.

Conclusion

Knowing your blood type is essential for medical emergencies and treatments. The rarity of certain blood types emphasizes the importance of diverse blood donations. Whether you have a common or rare blood type, your donation can make a significant difference in someone’s life.

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