Census figures show the number of Scots who identify as trans
The voluntary question was asked on the 2022 census form
Almost 20,000 people living in Scotland identify as trans, or having a trans history, the first time the question was included in the census in 2022.
Nearly half (46%) were aged 16-24, and around 9,000 identified as Non-binary.
The figure equates to 0.44% of people aged 16 and over.
The census carried out by the National Records of Scotland included a voluntary question on trans status of history for people aged 16 and over.
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+.
City students
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.
Historic census data
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%) adding up to 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.
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%).
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