An occupant state recognition apparatus including an eyelid opening recognition unit configured to recognize an eyelid opening of a driver and maximum and minimum values of the eyelid opening； an eye state determination unit configured to determine that the eye is in an eye open state if the eyelid opening becomes greater than or equal to a preset threshold value, and to determine that the eye is in an eye closed state if the eyelid opening becomes less than the threshold value； and a threshold value resetting unit configured to reset the threshold value to a value between the maximum value and the minimum value of the eyelid opening, if the maximum value (or the minimum value) has not become greater (or less) than or equal to the threshold value for a predetermined period or a period corresponding to a predetermined number of times of eyelid opening and closing.
