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Article date

27 Jun 2024

Scotland’s Census – Sexual orientation and trans status or history

Scotland’s Census 2022 found that 19,990 people were trans or had a trans history, according to data published by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

The figure equates to 0.44% of people aged 16 and over. Almost half (46.1%) of trans people were aged 16 to 24 with around a quarter (26.0%) aged 25 to 34.

Dundee City council area had the highest percentage of trans people relative to their population aged 16 and over (0.91%), followed by City of Edinburgh and Glasgow City (both 0.77%), and Aberdeen City (0.58%). These council areas have large student populations and relatively high numbers of young people.

The census included a question on trans status or history for the first time in 2022. This was a voluntary question for people aged 16 and over.

In addition, NRS has published census data relating to sexual orientation, also included as a voluntary question for the first time in 2022. It found that there were 183,860 LGB+ people in Scotland, 4.0% of people aged 16 and over.

The censuses in the rest of the UK asked the same question in 2021. In England and Wales 3.2% of people aged 16 and over were LGB+. In Northern Ireland 2.1% of people aged 16 and over were LGB+.

Director of Census Statistics Jon Wroth-Smith said:

“This is the first time Scotland’s Census has ever collected data on trans status or history and sexual orientation. We can now say that almost 20,000 people aged 16 and over in Scotland identified as being trans or having a trans history and almost 184,000 people aged 16 and over identified as LGB+.

“These numbers will help charities, local authorities, businesses and government plan services to improve the lives of those living and working in Scotland as well as providing important information for effective equality monitoring.”

Around two in every five LGB+ people identified as bisexual (43.6%). This is 80,260 people. A similar number of people (80,100) identified as gay or lesbian (43.6%). Almost half (46.6%) of bisexual people were aged 16 to 24. Around a third (32.0%) were aged 25 to 34.

Around a quarter (23.1%) of gay or lesbian people were aged 16 to 24. A further 28.6% were aged 25 to 34. This means just under half were aged 35 and older.

The four council areas that have the highest percentage of LGB+ people relative to their population (aged 16 and over) were City of Edinburgh (7.6%), Glasgow City (7.1%), Dundee City (6.6%) and Aberdeen City (5.2%).  

This is the third of seven reports on different topics from the census to be released over the next few months. Future topics include housing, education and health.