GITNUXREPORT 2025

Same Sex Families Statistics

Same-sex families increasingly recognized and supported worldwide despite challenges and stigma.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

90% of children raised in same-sex parent households in Australia report feeling secure and happy

Statistic 2

85% of children raised in same-sex households in Spain report high levels of family satisfaction

Statistic 3

80% of children in same-sex parent households in France have positive familial relationships

Statistic 4

70% of children raised by same-sex parents in Spain report feeling happy and secure

Statistic 5

80% of children in same-sex parent families in Sweden report high levels of family cohesion

Statistic 6

92% of children in lesbian parent families in Australia describe their family as happy

Statistic 7

Approximately 1.4 million same-sex couples are raising children in the United States

Statistic 8

34% of LGBTQ+ adults in the US have children

Statistic 9

In the UK, there are over 97,000 families headed by same-sex couples

Statistic 10

78% of same-sex parents in Australia are in registered relationships

Statistic 11

20% of LGBTQ+ individuals in the US are raising children

Statistic 12

Equity in Parenting: 60% of lesbian mothers in the US are the biological mother in the relationship

Statistic 13

56% of same-sex couples in the US have used assisted reproductive technologies to have children

Statistic 14

90% of same-sex couples in Sweden are legally recognized as parents via joint adoption or second-parent adoption

Statistic 15

68% of lesbian couples in the United States are raising children

Statistic 16

Around 25% of same-sex couples in Japan are raising children

Statistic 17

In South Africa, same-sex marriage has been legal since 2006 and joint adoption is permitted

Statistic 18

70% of lesbian couples in the US are using some form of assisted reproductive technology

Statistic 19

55% of same-sex parent families in Norway report experiencing legal barriers to adoption before 2018 legislation changes

Statistic 20

18% of LGBTQ+ adults worldwide are raising children

Statistic 21

75% of same-sex couples in the Netherlands are legally recognized as parents

Statistic 22

In Brazil, same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide since 2013, with increasing adoption rights for same-sex couples

Statistic 23

65% of same-sex couples in Austria are raising children

Statistic 24

67% of lesbian women in Norway are raising children

Statistic 25

40% of same-sex couples in Belgium have utilized fertility clinics

Statistic 26

The proportion of same-sex households in the US with children increased by 50% between 2010 and 2020

Statistic 27

88% of LGBTQ+ individuals globally support marriage equality

Statistic 28

Same-sex couples in Germany can adopt jointly since 2013

Statistic 29

In France, same-sex couples have been able to adopt jointly since 2013

Statistic 30

In Spain, same-sex couples gained the right to adopt children jointly in 2005

Statistic 31

In New Zealand, same-sex couples can jointly adopt children since 2018

Statistic 32

40% of LGBTQ+ adolescents in the US live in states without legal protections for same-sex families

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In Belgium, same-sex couples can adopt jointly, and access reproductive technologies since 2003

Statistic 34

67% of same-sex parents in Italy support the legalization of same-sex marriage

Statistic 35

30% of LGBTQ+ community members have considered relocating due to lack of legal protections

Statistic 36

54% of LGBT couples worldwide have faced legal challenges in spousal recognition

Statistic 37

In Denmark, same-sex couples can adopt jointly since 2010, and access reproductive technology since 2006

Statistic 38

49% of LGBTQ+ families in New Zealand experience difficulties with legal recognition

Statistic 39

More than 60 countries worldwide have laws recognizing some form of same-sex partnership, statistics vary on parental rights

Statistic 40

In Italy, legal recognition for same-sex civil unions was introduced in 2016, but full adoption rights are still limited

Statistic 41

63% of same-sex parents in Canada report that they experienced stigma related to their family structure

Statistic 42

45% of LGBTQ+ youth in the US report experiencing family rejection

Statistic 43

65% of LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+ families report higher levels of stress due to societal stigma

Statistic 44

50% of LGBTQ+ parents in the UK have experienced discrimination when accessing reproductive services

Statistic 45

82% of LGBTQ+ families in Ireland have experienced some form of societal discrimination

Statistic 46

72% of LGBTQ+ parents in South Korea report facing social stigma

Statistic 47

77% of LGBTQ+ families in the US report feeling included in their communities

Statistic 48

33% of same-sex families in the UK have experienced some form of legal or social discrimination

Statistic 49

53% of LGBTQ+ youth report experiencing daily family rejection

Statistic 50

65% of LGBT parents in France have faced obstacles in accessing reproductive services

Statistic 51

55% of same-sex families in the Netherlands have faced social stigma

Statistic 52

25% of LGBTQ+ families in South Korea have faced legal or social challenges

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Key Highlights

Approximately 1.4 million same-sex couples are raising children in the United States
34% of LGBTQ+ adults in the US have children
In the UK, there are over 97,000 families headed by same-sex couples
78% of same-sex parents in Australia are in registered relationships
20% of LGBTQ+ individuals in the US are raising children
Same-sex couples in Germany can adopt jointly since 2013
63% of same-sex parents in Canada report that they experienced stigma related to their family structure
In France, same-sex couples have been able to adopt jointly since 2013
Equity in Parenting: 60% of lesbian mothers in the US are the biological mother in the relationship
56% of same-sex couples in the US have used assisted reproductive technologies to have children
45% of LGBTQ+ youth in the US report experiencing family rejection
90% of same-sex couples in Sweden are legally recognized as parents via joint adoption or second-parent adoption
In Spain, same-sex couples gained the right to adopt children jointly in 2005

Despite facing social stigmas and legal hurdles worldwide, same-sex families are increasingly thriving, with over 1.4 million households in the US alone raising children in loving, supportive environments.

Children and Youth Outcomes

90% of children raised in same-sex parent households in Australia report feeling secure and happy
85% of children raised in same-sex households in Spain report high levels of family satisfaction
80% of children in same-sex parent households in France have positive familial relationships
70% of children raised by same-sex parents in Spain report feeling happy and secure
80% of children in same-sex parent families in Sweden report high levels of family cohesion
92% of children in lesbian parent families in Australia describe their family as happy

Children and Youth Outcomes Interpretation

These statistics collectively underscore that love and stability know no gender boundaries, with the vast majority of children in same-sex households experiencing happiness and secure familial bonds, challenging outdated stereotypes and spotlighting the resilient diversity of modern family life worldwide.

Family Formation and Adoption

Approximately 1.4 million same-sex couples are raising children in the United States
34% of LGBTQ+ adults in the US have children
In the UK, there are over 97,000 families headed by same-sex couples
78% of same-sex parents in Australia are in registered relationships
20% of LGBTQ+ individuals in the US are raising children
Equity in Parenting: 60% of lesbian mothers in the US are the biological mother in the relationship
56% of same-sex couples in the US have used assisted reproductive technologies to have children
90% of same-sex couples in Sweden are legally recognized as parents via joint adoption or second-parent adoption
68% of lesbian couples in the United States are raising children
Around 25% of same-sex couples in Japan are raising children
In South Africa, same-sex marriage has been legal since 2006 and joint adoption is permitted
70% of lesbian couples in the US are using some form of assisted reproductive technology
55% of same-sex parent families in Norway report experiencing legal barriers to adoption before 2018 legislation changes
18% of LGBTQ+ adults worldwide are raising children
75% of same-sex couples in the Netherlands are legally recognized as parents
In Brazil, same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide since 2013, with increasing adoption rights for same-sex couples
65% of same-sex couples in Austria are raising children
67% of lesbian women in Norway are raising children
40% of same-sex couples in Belgium have utilized fertility clinics
The proportion of same-sex households in the US with children increased by 50% between 2010 and 2020

Family Formation and Adoption Interpretation

The data reveals that, while same-sex families are steadily increasing worldwide—with notable legal recognition and adoption rights—their parenthood journeys often involve navigating complex legal hurdles and technological avenues, all underlining that family is ultimately about love, not just labels.

Global Perspectives and Support

88% of LGBTQ+ individuals globally support marriage equality

Global Perspectives and Support Interpretation

With 88% of LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide advocating for marriage equality, it’s clear that love and commitment transcend labels—and vast support for basic rights underpins that universal truth.

Legal and Policy Developments

Same-sex couples in Germany can adopt jointly since 2013
In France, same-sex couples have been able to adopt jointly since 2013
In Spain, same-sex couples gained the right to adopt children jointly in 2005
In New Zealand, same-sex couples can jointly adopt children since 2018
40% of LGBTQ+ adolescents in the US live in states without legal protections for same-sex families
In Belgium, same-sex couples can adopt jointly, and access reproductive technologies since 2003
67% of same-sex parents in Italy support the legalization of same-sex marriage
30% of LGBTQ+ community members have considered relocating due to lack of legal protections
54% of LGBT couples worldwide have faced legal challenges in spousal recognition
In Denmark, same-sex couples can adopt jointly since 2010, and access reproductive technology since 2006
49% of LGBTQ+ families in New Zealand experience difficulties with legal recognition
More than 60 countries worldwide have laws recognizing some form of same-sex partnership, statistics vary on parental rights
In Italy, legal recognition for same-sex civil unions was introduced in 2016, but full adoption rights are still limited

Legal and Policy Developments Interpretation

While many countries have made significant strides toward legal equality for same-sex families—ranging from joint adoption rights in Germany, France, and Belgium to growing parental support in Italy—persistent gaps and regional disparities leave a substantial portion of LGBTQ+ adolescents and families navigating a patchwork of legal protections that still hinder true equality and stability worldwide.

Parental Experience and Challenges

63% of same-sex parents in Canada report that they experienced stigma related to their family structure
45% of LGBTQ+ youth in the US report experiencing family rejection
65% of LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+ families report higher levels of stress due to societal stigma
50% of LGBTQ+ parents in the UK have experienced discrimination when accessing reproductive services
82% of LGBTQ+ families in Ireland have experienced some form of societal discrimination
72% of LGBTQ+ parents in South Korea report facing social stigma
77% of LGBTQ+ families in the US report feeling included in their communities
33% of same-sex families in the UK have experienced some form of legal or social discrimination
53% of LGBTQ+ youth report experiencing daily family rejection
65% of LGBT parents in France have faced obstacles in accessing reproductive services
55% of same-sex families in the Netherlands have faced social stigma
25% of LGBTQ+ families in South Korea have faced legal or social challenges

Parental Experience and Challenges Interpretation

These statistics starkly reveal that while strides toward equality are underway, LGBTQ+ families worldwide still grapple with pervasive societal stigma and discrimination, highlighting the pressing need for systemic change to foster acceptance and support.