What Is the Rarest Blood Type? (From AB− to Rh-null)
Updated 2026-11-07T00:00:00.000Z
The answer depends on what you count. Among the eight blood types most people know, AB negative is the rarest. But there are much rarer blood types that fall outside the usual ABO and Rh system.
The eight common types, ranked (US figures)
| Type | Share of people (approx.) |
|---|---|
| O+ | 37% |
| A+ | 36% |
| B+ | 9% |
| O− | 7% |
| A− | 6% |
| AB+ | 3% |
| B− | 2% |
| AB− | 1% |
In East Asia the picture changes: because Rh-negative blood is so uncommon there, all negative types are rare, and AB− may be fewer than 1 in 3,000 people.
Rarer than AB−
- Bombay phenotype (hh). People with this type lack the H antigen that A and B are built on, so they test as type O but can only receive blood from other Bombay donors. It was first described in Mumbai in 1952 and occurs in roughly 1 in 10,000 people in India and around 1 in a million in Europe.
- Rh-null. Sometimes called “golden blood”, Rh-null has none of the Rh antigens at all. Fewer than 50 people worldwide have been documented with it. It is precious for transfusion, but very hard to supply.
- Other rare antigens. Blood is classified by more than 40 recognised blood group systems. Some people lack very common antigens, which makes finding a matching donor difficult.
Why rare types matter
People with rare blood types may need blood from a small number of compatible donors, sometimes flown between countries. If you have a rare type, registering as a donor can make a real difference.
Rare type, rare personality?
In Japanese and Korean pop culture, type AB’s rarity feeds its image as the mysterious one. It is a fun story, but research shows no link between blood group and personality.