MyHeritage Ethnicity Estimate v2.5: A Game-Changer in DNA Ethnicity Estimates

MyHeritage Updated DNA Ethnicity Estimates with the New v2.5 Model

MyHeritage Ethnicity Estimate v2.5: A Game-Changer in DNA Ethnicity Estimates

​The long-awaited update to MyHeritage’s DNA ethnicity model is finally here! Ethnicity Estimate v2.5 has officially launched, bringing a higher-resolution breakdown of ethnic origins and nearly doubling the number of ethnicities identified—from 42 to 79. As a MyHeritage Friend, I was granted early access to test this update before its public release, and I’m excited to share my thoughts and personal experience with my new results.

What’s New in Ethnicity Estimate v2.5?

The new model is a major leap forward from the previous version (v0.95), which had been in use for years. Here are some of the key highlights:

• Higher-resolution results – The ethnicity breakdown is now much more refined. For example, instead of a broad "Scandinavian" classification, users may now see their ancestry broken down into Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish percentages.
• 79 Ethnicities Identified – A significant increase from the previous 42, with the addition of new ethnicities and improved regional specificity.
• Expanded Jewish Ethnicity Categories – MyHeritage now distinguishes between 15 different Jewish ethnicities, more than most other DNA tests on the market.
• Unique Ethnicities – Some ethnic groups, such as Armenian, are identified uniquely by MyHeritage and are not available on other DNA testing platforms.
• Retained Flexibility – Existing MyHeritage users won’t see their original estimates replaced automatically. Instead, they have the option to opt in to Ethnicity Estimate v2.5 and can switch between the old and new models at any time.

Why the Update Took So Long

MyHeritage initially planned to roll out an updated model (v2) in mid-2024 but chose not to fully launch it after early feedback revealed areas for improvement. Instead, they went back to the drawing board, refined their algorithms, and developed v2.5. The extra time paid off, as user feedback on v2.5 has been significantly more positive compared to both v0.95 and the incomplete v2 model.

While no ethnicity model is ever perfect, MyHeritage is committed to continued improvements and acknowledges that some ethnicities, such as Maasai and Sierra Leonean, were removed due to insufficient training data. However, these could make a return in future updates as more reference samples become available. 

My Old vs. New Ethnicity Estimates

Before updating to Ethnicity Estimate v2.5, my results were as follows:

My v0.95 MyHeritage DNA Ethnicity Results

After opting into the new model, my updated results changed to:

My v2.5 MyHeritage DNA Ethnicity Results

My Thoughts on My New Estimates

The update brought some interesting changes to my results! One of the most noticeable differences is the complete disappearance of my African ancestry, which was previously estimated at 6.3% (North African and Nigerian). I never fully agreed with that high percentage in the first place, but since every other DNA testing company shows 1-2% for me and my mom, and I see similar levels of African ancestry in matches from one particular line on my mom’s paternal side, I expected to still see a trace of it. Its absence makes me question whether the new model overcorrected or whether my original result was inflated.

Another significant change is the sharp increase in my Scottish and Welsh percentage, now at 36.6%, making it my largest category. While I do have strong Scottish ancestry, I wasn’t expecting it to be that dominant compared to my English percentage, which has now dropped from 49.1% to 24.3%. I’m also intrigued by the introduction of Breton (3.6%) and Dutch (5.3%), which weren’t detected in my earlier results but could align with known migration patterns in my family history.

As for my family, my mom’s new results seem fairly accurate, and my uncle’s estimate looks spot on. But for my own ethnicity estimate, I’m still on the fence. I love the increased regional specificity, but I’m not entirely convinced by some of the percentage shifts.

One feature I particularly appreciate is the ability to switch between v0.95 and v2.5 at any time. This flexibility is helpful for those who may feel attached to their previous results while still allowing them to explore the new data.

My mom's old estimates vs her new estimates:

My Mom's v0.95 MyHeritage DNA Ethnicity Results

My Mom's v2.5 MyHeritage DNA Ethnicity Results

My uncles's old estimates vs his new estimates:

My Uncles's v0.95 MyHeritage DNA Ethnicity Results

My Uncles's v2.5 MyHeritage DNA Ethnicity Results

How to Update Your Ethnicity Estimate

If you’re a MyHeritage DNA user, here’s how to access your new ethnicity estimate:

1. Go to your Ethnicity Estimate – Navigate to the DNA section on the MyHeritage website and select "Ethnicity Estimate."
2. Opt in – A pop-up will appear inviting you to update to v2.5. Click the button to generate your new results.
3. Wait for Processing – It takes about a day for the new results to be generated. You’ll receive an email notification once they’re ready.
4. Toggle Between Models – If you want to compare your old and new estimates, you can switch between them using a simple dropdown menu on the results page.

Final Thoughts

The launch of Ethnicity Estimate v2.5 is an exciting milestone for MyHeritage users, offering a more refined, detailed, and accurate picture of their ancestral origins. Whether you’re new to DNA testing or a seasoned genealogist, this update enhances the depth and accuracy of your family history research.

Have you updated to Ethnicity Estimate v2.5 yet? What did you think of your new results? Let’s discuss in the comments!

PS: Did You Know that MyHeritage Generates a Cool Video for Your Ethnicity Results?

Check out my ethnicity video below!

​More MyHeritage, DNA, and Other Genealogy Resources

Learn about more MyHeritage, AI in Genealogy, and other family history and genealogy resources under the MyHeritage, Genetic Genealogy and DNA, Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.