Which is the rarest of the ABO/Rh blood groups in humans worldwide?

AB negative is the least common blood type found in humans with a distribution of about 0.6%, or 6 in every 1000 people.

There are 8 basic types of blood, A, B, O and AB each with a positive or negative Rhesus characteristic. Of the eight, six have a low distribution under 10% whilst the two remaining types are much more common, with a distribution of 30% or more in humans. See table below showing blood group and percentage distribution.

A + 34%

A - 9%

B +. 8%

B - 2%

O +. 36%

O - 8%

AB + 2%

AB - < 1%

Figures can differ slightly depending on different parts of the world and ethnicity.

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74 Comments

Chooky Stevens

i had a friend who had this blood type. He was recognised by the Blood Organisations for his availability. He never turned them down. Used to go often to accident sites in the middle of the night to give blood. A true hero.

Player

I have this blood type.

AB- is my blood type. I found out when I when I was having my first child. The nurse told me I was a rare bird.

Armadillo

Jon Pyzel, me too.

Tinamarie

I am AB NEG But for no fault of my own i can't give blood would like to.

Sharyn Lucas

As the blood type AB- is so rare you really aren’t called on too often to give blood. Sharyn Lucas,

Sharyn Lucas

I am AB- I remember when my Dr. first found out the blood type I have he told me after 35 years of practicing medicine I am the only patient to have AB-.