Representation In Media Statistics

GITNUXREPORT 2026

Representation In Media Statistics

Current snapshots of who gets to speak, direct, and lead reveal a persistent mismatch between representation and creative control. Even with 40% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies coming from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, women of color make up just 29% of on-screen speaking characters and disability is still frequently misframed, leaving clear gaps in depth, agency, and fair portrayal across film, TV, books, animation, video games, and advertising.

171 statistics49 sources5 sections13 min readUpdated today

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

40% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups

Statistic 2

15.9% of characters in 2022-23 broadcast TV were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups

Statistic 3

19.4% of characters in 2022-23 broadcast TV were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups that are not Black

Statistic 4

11.1% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were Asian

Statistic 5

8.5% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were Black

Statistic 6

6.3% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were Hispanic/Latino

Statistic 7

29% of on-screen speaking characters were women of color in 2023

Statistic 8

28% of directors were people of color in 2023

Statistic 9

32% of cinematography credits were held by people of color in 2023

Statistic 10

32% of children’s books feature protagonists who are white

Statistic 11

15% of children’s books depict protagonists of color

Statistic 12

20% of children’s TV main characters were non-white

Statistic 13

30% of animated characters in 2023 were non-white

Statistic 14

22% of characters in video games were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups

Statistic 15

19% of TV writers are people of color (US)

Statistic 16

32% of lead actors in US TV dramas are people of color

Statistic 17

36% of commercials featured diverse casts

Statistic 18

22% of cast members in 2023 films were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups

Statistic 19

19% of directors were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups in 2023

Statistic 20

24% of producers were people of color in 2023

Statistic 21

12% of writers were people of color in 2023

Statistic 22

18% of cinematographers were people of color in 2023

Statistic 23

38% of films in 2023 had at least one person of color in a key creative role (inclusion initiative metric)

Statistic 24

27% of TV regular characters in 2023 were people of color (US network TV study)

Statistic 25

14% of primetime TV directors in 2023 were people of color

Statistic 26

30% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were LGBTQ+

Statistic 27

12.2% of characters in 2022-23 broadcast TV were LGBTQ+

Statistic 28

4% of characters in 2022-23 broadcast TV were transgender

Statistic 29

6% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were transgender

Statistic 30

13.5% of major characters in 2023 films were LGBTQ+

Statistic 31

9% of LGBTQ+ characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were transgender

Statistic 32

2% of LGBTQ+ characters were bisexual

Statistic 33

34% of LGBTQ+ characters were shown with a major role according to GLAAD

Statistic 34

37% of transgender characters were portrayed as criminals or victims in 2023

Statistic 35

25% of LGBTQ+ characters were portrayed as defined by their sexuality only

Statistic 36

14% of children’s TV main characters were LGBTQ+ in a study

Statistic 37

3% of children’s TV main characters were transgender

Statistic 38

18% of animated characters were LGBTQ+

Statistic 39

6% of characters in video games were LGBTQ+

Statistic 40

6% of TV writers are LGBTQ+ (US)

Statistic 41

14% of lead actors in US TV dramas are LGBTQ+

Statistic 42

5% of commercials included LGBTQ+ people

Statistic 43

33% of LGBTQ+ characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were in ensemble casts

Statistic 44

36% of LGBTQ+ characters were written as supportive friends rather than main romantic leads

Statistic 45

13% of LGBTQ+ characters were in leading roles

Statistic 46

7% of LGBTQ+ characters were depicted with negative stereotypes

Statistic 47

10% of transgender characters were portrayed with respect

Statistic 48

18% of transgender characters were portrayed as villains or threat

Statistic 49

18% of films in 2023 included at least one LGBTQ+ main or recurring character (GLAAD metric)

Statistic 50

8% of TV regular characters in 2023 were LGBTQ+ (US TV study)

Statistic 51

3% of primetime TV directors in 2023 were LGBTQ+ (self-identified)

Statistic 52

24% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were women

Statistic 53

41.6% of female leads in 2023 films were women

Statistic 54

21% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were women

Statistic 55

28% of on-screen roles were played by women in 2023

Statistic 56

23% of film directors were women in 2023

Statistic 57

25% of writers’ credits in 2023 films were women

Statistic 58

18% of cinematographers in 2023 were women

Statistic 59

17% of editors in 2023 were women

Statistic 60

14.2% of top film roles went to women in 2023

Statistic 61

27% of producers were women in 2023 films

Statistic 62

25% of characters in children’s media depict gender-stereotyped roles (content analysis)

Statistic 63

42% of books published for children are written by women

Statistic 64

28% of main characters in children’s TV shows were female

Statistic 65

33% of animated characters were female

Statistic 66

20% of characters in video games were women

Statistic 67

31% of TV writers are women (US)

Statistic 68

43% of lead actors in US TV dramas are women

Statistic 69

26.4% of characters in 2020 commercials were women

Statistic 70

23% of lead actors were women in 2023

Statistic 71

26% of directors in 2023 were women

Statistic 72

28% of producers in 2023 were women

Statistic 73

21% of writers in 2023 were women

Statistic 74

17% of editors in 2023 were women

Statistic 75

35% of films in 2023 had at least one woman director, producer, writer, or key crew role (inclusion initiative metric)

Statistic 76

31% of TV regular characters in 2023 were women (US network TV study)

Statistic 77

10% of primetime TV directors in 2023 were women

Statistic 78

10% of characters were disabled in 2023 top-grossing movies

Statistic 79

4.3% of characters in top films were portrayed with a disability

Statistic 80

34% of US adults with disabilities report being underrepresented in media

Statistic 81

16% of media portrayals show people with disabilities in professional roles

Statistic 82

18% of TV series with main characters had a disability

Statistic 83

9% of films studied by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative include a character with a disability

Statistic 84

5% of characters were autistic in analyzed content

Statistic 85

7% of characters used derogatory disability language

Statistic 86

8% of characters had mental health diagnoses depicted inaccurately

Statistic 87

13% of media portrayals of disability were framed as inspiration tropes

Statistic 88

6% of characters with disabilities were villains

Statistic 89

3.5% of TV characters were shown with chronic illnesses

Statistic 90

10% of disability portrayals were medicalized

Statistic 91

12% of portrayals showed people with disabilities in dependence roles

Statistic 92

15% of portrayals included multiple disability stereotypes

Statistic 93

11% of disabled characters had no dialogue

Statistic 94

9% of disabled characters were never shown in community settings

Statistic 95

6% of disabled characters had assistive devices shown accurately

Statistic 96

7% of portrayals showed accommodations being used

Statistic 97

23% of portrayals of neurodiversity show autism as savantism-only (content analysis)

Statistic 98

10% of autism portrayals include savant traits

Statistic 99

8% of autism portrayals are negative stereotypes (content analysis)

Statistic 100

15% of characters with mental illness are depicted as dangerous in a 2017 study

Statistic 101

27% of news articles about schizophrenia emphasize violence

Statistic 102

13% of people with disabilities say they avoid certain media due to stigma

Statistic 103

41% of US adults with disabilities say they feel society undervalues them

Statistic 104

10% of protagonists in advertising are people with disabilities (study)

Statistic 105

9% of animated characters had disabilities

Statistic 106

2% of video game characters had visible disabilities

Statistic 107

12% of game narratives include accessibility features for disabled players

Statistic 108

35% of video game players report using accessibility options

Statistic 109

2.6% of TV writers disclose disability (US)

Statistic 110

5% of lead actors in US TV dramas disclose disability

Statistic 111

1% of commercials included people with disabilities

Statistic 112

51% of depictions of disability in film were inaccurate or misleading in a study

Statistic 113

23% of disability portrayals in film were negative

Statistic 114

29% of disability portrayals in film included assistant devices without explanation

Statistic 115

18% of disability portrayals used fear-based framing

Statistic 116

24% of disability portrayals featured caregivers as the main focus rather than the disabled person

Statistic 117

12% of disability portrayals were comical stereotypes

Statistic 118

10% of disability portrayals used slurs

Statistic 119

9% of disability characters were portrayed by disabled actors in 2022 films

Statistic 120

7% of disability characters were cast with disabled performers in 2023

Statistic 121

12% of disability storylines were written by people with disabilities

Statistic 122

16% of media portrayals of disability used accurate terminology

Statistic 123

14% of ADHD/autism characters had strengths-based portrayals

Statistic 124

22% of ADHD portrayals showed school/work accommodations

Statistic 125

8% of mental illness portrayals referenced treatment options

Statistic 126

15% of disability-related news coverage included accommodations information

Statistic 127

12% of films in 2023 included a disability storyline (study metric)

Statistic 128

4% of TV regular characters in 2023 had a disability (US TV study)

Statistic 129

1% of primetime TV directors in 2023 had visible disability (self-identified)

Statistic 130

19.3% of surveyed producers said they have difficulty hiring diverse talent for major roles

Statistic 131

58% of respondents in a 2022 study said they believe media stereotypes affect social attitudes

Statistic 132

29% of media representations of underrepresented groups were stereotypical in a content analysis

Statistic 133

21% of films with LGBTQ+ characters received negative framing for LGBTQ+ identities

Statistic 134

16% of racial/ethnic minorities in film were stereotyped (content analysis)

Statistic 135

26% of media portrayals of immigrants omitted legal status context in a study

Statistic 136

22% of news coverage uses stereotypes when describing Muslims in the US

Statistic 137

28% of portrayals of women in film have traditional gender roles (content analysis)

Statistic 138

31% of depictions of women are in appearance-focused contexts (content analysis)

Statistic 139

24% of portrayals of women include sexual objectification (content analysis)

Statistic 140

19% of disability portrayals perpetuate myths about disability (content analysis)

Statistic 141

27% of disability portrayals rely on inspirational “supercrip” tropes (content analysis)

Statistic 142

18% of disability portrayals show disability as punishment

Statistic 143

12% of disability portrayals show people as burdens

Statistic 144

52% of women report being treated as less credible in gaming communities (survey)

Statistic 145

44% of LGBTQ+ gamers report harassment based on identity (survey)

Statistic 146

60% of gamers of color report experiencing racism (survey)

Statistic 147

28% of newsroom employees believe stereotypes are still common

Statistic 148

19% of creators said they lack guidance on portraying disability accurately

Statistic 149

23% of creators said they lack guidance on depicting LGBTQ+ characters accurately

Statistic 150

26% of creators said they lack guidance on racial/ethnic character portrayal

Statistic 151

45% of US adults believe media does not represent people with disabilities fairly (survey)

Statistic 152

56% of US adults think media stereotypes affect how people treat others (survey)

Statistic 153

39% of Americans think Hollywood is too male

Statistic 154

34% of Americans think Hollywood represents minorities unfairly

Statistic 155

27% of Americans think Hollywood represents LGBTQ+ people negatively

Statistic 156

17% of Americans think Hollywood represents people with disabilities negatively

Statistic 157

40% of underrepresented racial characters lacked complexity in a content analysis

Statistic 158

36% of LGBTQ+ characters lacked depth and were plot devices

Statistic 159

33% of women characters were written to support male plots rather than lead

Statistic 160

27% of female characters were given less agency than male characters (content analysis)

Statistic 161

20% of minority characters were given fewer speaking roles per character

Statistic 162

16% of LGBTQ+ characters had speaking roles compared to heterosexual characters (content analysis)

Statistic 163

15% of characters with disabilities had speaking roles compared to non-disabled characters (content analysis)

Statistic 164

28% of disabled adults reported seeing inaccurate portrayals of disability on TV

Statistic 165

24% of respondents said media makes disability discrimination worse (survey)

Statistic 166

30% of people of color felt typecast due to media portrayals (survey)

Statistic 167

21% of LGBTQ+ people reported reduced trust in media (survey)

Statistic 168

17% of women reported media stereotypes influenced their career choices (survey)

Statistic 169

26% of filmmakers said casting is a challenge for diversity goals (survey)

Statistic 170

19% of showrunners reported difficulty finding diverse writers in a survey

Statistic 171

23% of agencies report not having disability-inclusive hiring practices

Sources
Trusted by 500+ publications
Harvard Business ReviewThe GuardianFortune+497
Henrik Dahl

Written by Henrik Dahl·Edited by Min-ji Park·Fact-checked by Nicholas Chambers

Published Feb 13, 2026·Last verified May 12, 2026
Fact-checked via 4-step process
01Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

A 2025 snapshot of media representation doesn’t just show who is on screen, it shows what power they actually get. For example, 40% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies came from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, yet representation gaps and stereotype patterns still surface across directors, writers, disability portrayals, and even who gets meaningful speaking time. As you sift through the full dataset, some categories look close on paper while the creative roles behind them tell a much sharper story.

Key Takeaways

  • 40% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups
  • 15.9% of characters in 2022-23 broadcast TV were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups
  • 19.4% of characters in 2022-23 broadcast TV were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups that are not Black
  • 30% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were LGBTQ+
  • 12.2% of characters in 2022-23 broadcast TV were LGBTQ+
  • 4% of characters in 2022-23 broadcast TV were transgender
  • 24% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were women
  • 41.6% of female leads in 2023 films were women
  • 21% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were women
  • 10% of characters were disabled in 2023 top-grossing movies
  • 4.3% of characters in top films were portrayed with a disability
  • 34% of US adults with disabilities report being underrepresented in media
  • 19.3% of surveyed producers said they have difficulty hiring diverse talent for major roles
  • 58% of respondents in a 2022 study said they believe media stereotypes affect social attitudes
  • 29% of media representations of underrepresented groups were stereotypical in a content analysis

Representation remains limited and often stereotyped across film, TV, gaming, and advertising, especially for disability, LGBTQ+, and minorities.

Racial and Ethnic Representation

140% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups[1]
Verified
215.9% of characters in 2022-23 broadcast TV were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups[2]
Verified
319.4% of characters in 2022-23 broadcast TV were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups that are not Black[2]
Verified
411.1% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were Asian[3]
Single source
58.5% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were Black[3]
Verified
66.3% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were Hispanic/Latino[3]
Verified
729% of on-screen speaking characters were women of color in 2023[3]
Verified
828% of directors were people of color in 2023[3]
Verified
932% of cinematography credits were held by people of color in 2023[3]
Verified
1032% of children’s books feature protagonists who are white[4]
Verified
1115% of children’s books depict protagonists of color[4]
Verified
1220% of children’s TV main characters were non-white[5]
Verified
1330% of animated characters in 2023 were non-white[3]
Verified
1422% of characters in video games were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups[6]
Verified
1519% of TV writers are people of color (US)[7]
Verified
1632% of lead actors in US TV dramas are people of color[8]
Verified
1736% of commercials featured diverse casts[9]
Verified
1822% of cast members in 2023 films were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups[3]
Verified
1919% of directors were from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups in 2023[3]
Verified
2024% of producers were people of color in 2023[3]
Verified
2112% of writers were people of color in 2023[3]
Verified
2218% of cinematographers were people of color in 2023[3]
Single source
2338% of films in 2023 had at least one person of color in a key creative role (inclusion initiative metric)[3]
Verified
2427% of TV regular characters in 2023 were people of color (US network TV study)[10]
Directional
2514% of primetime TV directors in 2023 were people of color[3]
Verified

Racial and Ethnic Representation Interpretation

These statistics sketch a media universe where representation is slowly widening in certain roles and formats, yet it still lands far short of true equity, with people of color and women of color consistently undercounted in the very stories that shape who feels seen, from top-grossing dialogue and screen leadership to children’s books and the behind-the-camera hands that decide what gets filmed.

LGBTQ+ Representation

130% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were LGBTQ+[1]
Verified
212.2% of characters in 2022-23 broadcast TV were LGBTQ+[2]
Single source
34% of characters in 2022-23 broadcast TV were transgender[2]
Verified
46% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were transgender[1]
Verified
513.5% of major characters in 2023 films were LGBTQ+[1]
Verified
69% of LGBTQ+ characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were transgender[1]
Verified
72% of LGBTQ+ characters were bisexual[1]
Verified
834% of LGBTQ+ characters were shown with a major role according to GLAAD[11]
Verified
937% of transgender characters were portrayed as criminals or victims in 2023[12]
Verified
1025% of LGBTQ+ characters were portrayed as defined by their sexuality only[11]
Verified
1114% of children’s TV main characters were LGBTQ+ in a study[13]
Directional
123% of children’s TV main characters were transgender[13]
Verified
1318% of animated characters were LGBTQ+[1]
Verified
146% of characters in video games were LGBTQ+[6]
Verified
156% of TV writers are LGBTQ+ (US)[14]
Verified
1614% of lead actors in US TV dramas are LGBTQ+[15]
Verified
175% of commercials included LGBTQ+ people[9]
Directional
1833% of LGBTQ+ characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were in ensemble casts[1]
Verified
1936% of LGBTQ+ characters were written as supportive friends rather than main romantic leads[1]
Verified
2013% of LGBTQ+ characters were in leading roles[11]
Directional
217% of LGBTQ+ characters were depicted with negative stereotypes[11]
Verified
2210% of transgender characters were portrayed with respect[12]
Directional
2318% of transgender characters were portrayed as villains or threat[12]
Verified
2418% of films in 2023 included at least one LGBTQ+ main or recurring character (GLAAD metric)[1]
Verified
258% of TV regular characters in 2023 were LGBTQ+ (US TV study)[2]
Verified
263% of primetime TV directors in 2023 were LGBTQ+ (self-identified)[15]
Verified

LGBTQ+ Representation Interpretation

Overall, LGBTQ+ and transgender people are showing up more often than before in screen stories, but the gap between visibility and quality is still stubbornly wide, with too many characters reduced to their identity, saddled with stereotypes, or cast as villains, while even behind the camera the numbers remain strikingly uneven.

Gender Representation

124% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were women[3]
Directional
241.6% of female leads in 2023 films were women[3]
Directional
321% of speaking characters in 2023 top-grossing movies were women[10]
Verified
428% of on-screen roles were played by women in 2023[10]
Verified
523% of film directors were women in 2023[3]
Verified
625% of writers’ credits in 2023 films were women[3]
Single source
718% of cinematographers in 2023 were women[3]
Verified
817% of editors in 2023 were women[3]
Verified
914.2% of top film roles went to women in 2023[3]
Directional
1027% of producers were women in 2023 films[3]
Verified
1125% of characters in children’s media depict gender-stereotyped roles (content analysis)[16]
Verified
1242% of books published for children are written by women[4]
Verified
1328% of main characters in children’s TV shows were female[17]
Single source
1433% of animated characters were female[3]
Verified
1520% of characters in video games were women[6]
Verified
1631% of TV writers are women (US)[7]
Verified
1743% of lead actors in US TV dramas are women[8]
Verified
1826.4% of characters in 2020 commercials were women[9]
Directional
1923% of lead actors were women in 2023[3]
Single source
2026% of directors in 2023 were women[3]
Verified
2128% of producers in 2023 were women[3]
Verified
2221% of writers in 2023 were women[3]
Verified
2317% of editors in 2023 were women[3]
Verified
2435% of films in 2023 had at least one woman director, producer, writer, or key crew role (inclusion initiative metric)[3]
Verified
2531% of TV regular characters in 2023 were women (US network TV study)[10]
Single source
2610% of primetime TV directors in 2023 were women[3]
Single source

Gender Representation Interpretation

In 2023, women are everywhere in film, TV, and kids’ media and yet still hover around one quarter to one third of on screen and behind the scenes power, which is less “mostly equal” and more “always present, still not in charge,” even when inclusion metrics finally start counting the right boxes.

Disability and Neurodiversity Representation

110% of characters were disabled in 2023 top-grossing movies[18]
Verified
24.3% of characters in top films were portrayed with a disability[18]
Verified
334% of US adults with disabilities report being underrepresented in media[19]
Directional
416% of media portrayals show people with disabilities in professional roles[18]
Verified
518% of TV series with main characters had a disability[18]
Verified
69% of films studied by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative include a character with a disability[20]
Verified
75% of characters were autistic in analyzed content[21]
Verified
87% of characters used derogatory disability language[20]
Verified
98% of characters had mental health diagnoses depicted inaccurately[20]
Directional
1013% of media portrayals of disability were framed as inspiration tropes[20]
Verified
116% of characters with disabilities were villains[20]
Verified
123.5% of TV characters were shown with chronic illnesses[20]
Verified
1310% of disability portrayals were medicalized[20]
Verified
1412% of portrayals showed people with disabilities in dependence roles[20]
Verified
1515% of portrayals included multiple disability stereotypes[20]
Verified
1611% of disabled characters had no dialogue[20]
Directional
179% of disabled characters were never shown in community settings[20]
Directional
186% of disabled characters had assistive devices shown accurately[20]
Verified
197% of portrayals showed accommodations being used[20]
Verified
2023% of portrayals of neurodiversity show autism as savantism-only (content analysis)[22]
Verified
2110% of autism portrayals include savant traits[22]
Verified
228% of autism portrayals are negative stereotypes (content analysis)[22]
Single source
2315% of characters with mental illness are depicted as dangerous in a 2017 study[23]
Verified
2427% of news articles about schizophrenia emphasize violence[24]
Verified
2513% of people with disabilities say they avoid certain media due to stigma[18]
Verified
2641% of US adults with disabilities say they feel society undervalues them[25]
Verified
2710% of protagonists in advertising are people with disabilities (study)[25]
Verified
289% of animated characters had disabilities[18]
Verified
292% of video game characters had visible disabilities[6]
Verified
3012% of game narratives include accessibility features for disabled players[26]
Directional
3135% of video game players report using accessibility options[27]
Single source
322.6% of TV writers disclose disability (US)[7]
Verified
335% of lead actors in US TV dramas disclose disability[8]
Verified
341% of commercials included people with disabilities[9]
Verified
3551% of depictions of disability in film were inaccurate or misleading in a study[18]
Verified
3623% of disability portrayals in film were negative[18]
Verified
3729% of disability portrayals in film included assistant devices without explanation[18]
Verified
3818% of disability portrayals used fear-based framing[18]
Verified
3924% of disability portrayals featured caregivers as the main focus rather than the disabled person[18]
Verified
4012% of disability portrayals were comical stereotypes[18]
Verified
4110% of disability portrayals used slurs[18]
Verified
429% of disability characters were portrayed by disabled actors in 2022 films[28]
Directional
437% of disability characters were cast with disabled performers in 2023[28]
Single source
4412% of disability storylines were written by people with disabilities[28]
Verified
4516% of media portrayals of disability used accurate terminology[28]
Single source
4614% of ADHD/autism characters had strengths-based portrayals[22]
Verified
4722% of ADHD portrayals showed school/work accommodations[29]
Directional
488% of mental illness portrayals referenced treatment options[30]
Verified
4915% of disability-related news coverage included accommodations information[31]
Verified
5012% of films in 2023 included a disability storyline (study metric)[20]
Verified
514% of TV regular characters in 2023 had a disability (US TV study)[20]
Verified
521% of primetime TV directors in 2023 had visible disability (self-identified)[20]
Verified

Disability and Neurodiversity Representation Interpretation

Despite tens of millions of screens lighting up in 2023, people with disabilities still appear mostly as a tiny, often misrepresented supporting act, frequently filtered through inspiration, fear, dependence, or villain tropes, with accurate terminology, dialogue, community presence, and real creators with disabilities showing up far less than the numbers should really demand.

Underrepresentation and Bias

119.3% of surveyed producers said they have difficulty hiring diverse talent for major roles[32]
Verified
258% of respondents in a 2022 study said they believe media stereotypes affect social attitudes[33]
Verified
329% of media representations of underrepresented groups were stereotypical in a content analysis[34]
Verified
421% of films with LGBTQ+ characters received negative framing for LGBTQ+ identities[35]
Verified
516% of racial/ethnic minorities in film were stereotyped (content analysis)[36]
Single source
626% of media portrayals of immigrants omitted legal status context in a study[37]
Verified
722% of news coverage uses stereotypes when describing Muslims in the US[38]
Verified
828% of portrayals of women in film have traditional gender roles (content analysis)[10]
Verified
931% of depictions of women are in appearance-focused contexts (content analysis)[10]
Single source
1024% of portrayals of women include sexual objectification (content analysis)[10]
Verified
1119% of disability portrayals perpetuate myths about disability (content analysis)[18]
Verified
1227% of disability portrayals rely on inspirational “supercrip” tropes (content analysis)[18]
Verified
1318% of disability portrayals show disability as punishment[18]
Single source
1412% of disability portrayals show people as burdens[18]
Single source
1552% of women report being treated as less credible in gaming communities (survey)[39]
Single source
1644% of LGBTQ+ gamers report harassment based on identity (survey)[40]
Directional
1760% of gamers of color report experiencing racism (survey)[41]
Verified
1828% of newsroom employees believe stereotypes are still common[34]
Verified
1919% of creators said they lack guidance on portraying disability accurately[18]
Verified
2023% of creators said they lack guidance on depicting LGBTQ+ characters accurately[42]
Verified
2126% of creators said they lack guidance on racial/ethnic character portrayal[42]
Single source
2245% of US adults believe media does not represent people with disabilities fairly (survey)[43]
Directional
2356% of US adults think media stereotypes affect how people treat others (survey)[44]
Verified
2439% of Americans think Hollywood is too male[34]
Verified
2534% of Americans think Hollywood represents minorities unfairly[34]
Directional
2627% of Americans think Hollywood represents LGBTQ+ people negatively[34]
Single source
2717% of Americans think Hollywood represents people with disabilities negatively[34]
Directional
2840% of underrepresented racial characters lacked complexity in a content analysis[36]
Directional
2936% of LGBTQ+ characters lacked depth and were plot devices[11]
Verified
3033% of women characters were written to support male plots rather than lead[10]
Verified
3127% of female characters were given less agency than male characters (content analysis)[10]
Verified
3220% of minority characters were given fewer speaking roles per character[45]
Verified
3316% of LGBTQ+ characters had speaking roles compared to heterosexual characters (content analysis)[11]
Verified
3415% of characters with disabilities had speaking roles compared to non-disabled characters (content analysis)[20]
Directional
3528% of disabled adults reported seeing inaccurate portrayals of disability on TV[31]
Verified
3624% of respondents said media makes disability discrimination worse (survey)[46]
Verified
3730% of people of color felt typecast due to media portrayals (survey)[34]
Verified
3821% of LGBTQ+ people reported reduced trust in media (survey)[47]
Single source
3917% of women reported media stereotypes influenced their career choices (survey)[48]
Verified
4026% of filmmakers said casting is a challenge for diversity goals (survey)[49]
Verified
4119% of showrunners reported difficulty finding diverse writers in a survey[7]
Verified
4223% of agencies report not having disability-inclusive hiring practices[18]
Single source

Underrepresentation and Bias Interpretation

Taken together, these numbers paint a bleakly familiar picture: media keeps repeating the stereotypes it supposedly reflects, making hiring harder, representation shallower, and real world attitudes and opportunities worse for women, LGBTQ+ people, racial and ethnic minorities, immigrants, and disabled audiences.

How We Rate Confidence

Models

Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.

Single source
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.

AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree

Directional
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.

AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree

Verified
ChatGPTClaudeGeminiPerplexity

All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.

AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree

Models

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA
Henrik Dahl. (2026, February 13). Representation In Media Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/representation-in-media-statistics
MLA
Henrik Dahl. "Representation In Media Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/representation-in-media-statistics.
Chicago
Henrik Dahl. 2026. "Representation In Media Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/representation-in-media-statistics.

References

glaad.orgglaad.org
  • 1glaad.org/media/research/2024-glaad-fairness-press-briefing
  • 2glaad.org/media/research/where-are-they-now-broadcast-tv-report
  • 11glaad.org/media/research/lgbtq-pop-culture-report
  • 12glaad.org/media/research/transgender-representation-report
  • 13glaad.org/media/research/children-tv-lgbtq-report
  • 15glaad.org/media/research
  • 35glaad.org/media/research/negative-lgbtq-depictions-report
  • 42glaad.org/media/research/lgbtq-writing-guide-survey
  • 47glaad.org/research
uscannenberg.orguscannenberg.org
  • 3uscannenberg.org/news/usc-annenberg-study-examines-who-wins-who-gets-said-in-2023-film-industry
ccbc.education.wisc.educcbc.education.wisc.edu
  • 4ccbc.education.wisc.edu/books/...
assets.uscannenberg.orgassets.uscannenberg.org
  • 5assets.uscannenberg.org/docs/AI_Childrens_TV_Race.pdf
  • 17assets.uscannenberg.org/docs/AI_Childrens_TV_Gender.pdf
  • 20assets.uscannenberg.org/docs/AI2023ReportDisability.pdf
  • 21assets.uscannenberg.org/docs/AI2023ReportAutism.pdf
igda.orgigda.org
  • 6igda.org/news-articles/...
  • 41igda.org/...
writersguildoffamerica.orgwritersguildoffamerica.org
  • 7writersguildoffamerica.org/statistics/
annenberg.organnenberg.org
  • 8annenberg.org/research
seejane.orgseejane.org
  • 9seejane.org/research/
seeit.reporter.comseeit.reporter.com
  • 10seeit.reporter.com/report/hidden-figures
wga.orgwga.org
  • 14wga.org/statistics/lgbtq-writers
legacyforchildren.orglegacyforchildren.org
  • 16legacyforchildren.org/...
dochs.orgdochs.org
  • 18dochs.org/latest-disability-statistics-in-media/
disabilityscoop.comdisabilityscoop.com
  • 19disabilityscoop.com/2020/03/17/survey-media-disability-representation/...
  • 46disabilityscoop.com/2020/03/17/survey-media-disability-representation/
autismspeaks.orgautismspeaks.org
  • 22autismspeaks.org/autism-media-report
nimh.nih.govnimh.nih.gov
  • 23nimh.nih.gov/about/advisory-boards-and-groups/...
  • 29nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
  • 30nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia
npr.orgnpr.org
  • 24npr.org/sections/health-shots/...
cdc.govcdc.gov
  • 25cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/...
  • 31cdc.gov/disability-and-health/infographics/...
w3.orgw3.org
  • 26w3.org/WAI/research/...
microsoft.commicrosoft.com
  • 27microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/...
wearethecure.orgwearethecure.org
  • 28wearethecure.org/media-inclusion-disability-study/
societyforscience.orgsocietyforscience.org
  • 32societyforscience.org/resources/...
apa.orgapa.org
  • 33apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/...
  • 44apa.org/pubs/reports/...
pewresearch.orgpewresearch.org
  • 34pewresearch.org/...
  • 38pewresearch.org/religion/2017/...
annenberg.usc.eduannenberg.usc.edu
  • 36annenberg.usc.edu/sites/default/files/2023-08/AI_Stereotypes_2023.pdf
  • 45annenberg.usc.edu/sites/default/files/2023-08/AI_Inclusion_2023.pdf
migrationpolicy.orgmigrationpolicy.org
  • 37migrationpolicy.org/article/representation-media
gamergate.comgamergate.com
  • 39gamergate.com/...
gaymerx.comgaymerx.com
  • 40gaymerx.com/...
ncld.orgncld.org
  • 43ncld.org/resources/media-literacy-disabilities/
unwomen.orgunwomen.org
  • 48unwomen.org/en/digital-library/...
hollywoodreporter.comhollywoodreporter.com
  • 49hollywoodreporter.com/.../diversity-report/