Once you’ve figured out your Enneagram type, you may find yourself wondering what is the rarest enneagram type.
There are many theories on the rarest enneagram type on the internet but most of these are based on personal experiences and opinions.
Although surveys have their limitations as well, the most accurate and unbiased answer would be backed by data and statistics.
The Rarest Enneagram Type: Type 5
From my research, I discovered the Enneagram Population Distribution which is a massive survey conducted on 189,957 individuals.
The results from the survey indicate that the rarest Enneagram is Type 5, followed closely by Type 8 and Type 2.
The Most Common Enneagram Type: Type 9
The results from the survey indicate Type 9 is the most common Enneagram type, followed closely by Type 6 and Type 4.
Limitations of The Enneagram Type Distribution Survey
One limitation of surveys is some Enneagram types may be underrepresented because some Enneagram types are more likely to participate in a survey than others.
For example, Type 4s are potentially the type that tends to be most naturally interested in introspection. As a result, Type 4s would be more likely to search for and participate in this survey. So, their population might be slightly fewer in terms of percentage on a real scale.
Other Enneagram Type Distribution Theories
1. Evenly Distributed
A popular theory states that all nine Enneagram types are evenly distributed among the population. This means that each Enneagram type represents 11.11% of the general population.
This seems to correlate with the results from the survey above. Although the survey results suggest some Enneagram types are rarer than others, the percentages range between 6% – 14.4% which is not too far off from 11.11%.
Taking into the Enneagram type representation limitation above, it supports the theory that the nine Enneagram types are evenly distributed.
2. Primary Types: Type 3, Type 6, Type 9
Source: Enneagram Institute
The Primary Types Theory suggests that Enneagram Type 3, Type 6, and Type 9 are the most common Enneagram types because they are the primary types.
If you look closely at the Enneagram diagram, you’ll notice that Types 3, Type 6, and Type 9 are the only types that are joined by the equilateral triangle in the center.
These three types represent the core Enneagram energies of each Triad.
The Enneagram uses building blocks based on the Law of Threes which states that every whole phenomenon is composed of three separate sources.
In this case, there are three triads, each with three personality types associated with them. The other numbers make up the other six types and represent variations on these three main types.
This theory seems to correlate with the survey results above. Type 3, Type 6, and Type 9 all ranked above average (11.11%) in the surveyed population, with Type 9 being the most common Enneagram type.
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Dive deeper into the world of Enneagram with an Enneagram Planner.
This 11-page printable set is perfect for Enneagram enthusiasts who want to use their Enneagram type for personal growth, relationships, and self-discovery.
