Fewer than 2% of the worlds 6.5 billion people carry the gene for red hair. Because of this, scientists think that red hair may be extinct by 2060.
Red hair is a result of a mutation in northern Europe thousands of years ago. The mutation is recessive. So red hair is rare unless both of the parents have the gene. Due to increased globalization, it is becoming less likely that a person carrying the gene will partner with another who also carries the gene.
The only place where the gene is still prevalent is in Scotland. it’s estimated that 40% of Scots carry the gene, with about 13% actually having red hair. So if you are a redhead, like those in the Redhead Wendys protest, you have a much better chance of passing that gene down if you move to Scotland.
Via Neatorama: Redheads Face Extinction
