About 0.3% of U.S. adults identify as transgender, but a much larger share of trans youth are reporting everyday impacts at school and in healthcare. In 2023, at least 507 anti LGBTQ bills were introduced across 43 states, while at the same time 72% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported misgendering in healthcare settings. The gap between who the public thinks exists and what trans youth experience is where the most important statistics start to come into focus.
Key Takeaways
- 0.3% of U.S. adults identify as transgender according to the Gallup 2022 estimate
- 52% of LGBTQ students reported feeling unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation or gender identity in the U.S. (2019 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey analysis)
- In the U.S., 76% of transgender youth reported hearing homophobic or transphobic remarks at school (GLSEN 2019)
- In 2021, 41% of transgender students reported feeling unsafe at school (GLSEN 2021)
- 27.9% of transgender adults in the U.S. reported frequent mental distress (2017-2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System analysis published by CDC)
- The annual prevalence of depression symptoms among transgender youth was 48.7% in a 2018 systematic review (meta-analysis)
- A meta-analysis estimated that transgender and gender-diverse youth have a 2.7x higher risk of depression compared with cisgender peers (systematic review)
- 33 states reported at least one anti-LGBTQ law that could affect transgender youth during 2023 (GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders’ annual legislative report)
- At least 507 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in 2023 across 43 states (GLSEN/press summaries drawing on state tracking; reported in annual legislative tracking)
- $1.3 billion in federal tax credits (ACA) supported coverage for individuals in 2022; transgender youth rely on these marketplaces (HHS/ASPE report)
- The average annual cost of gender-affirming hormone therapy for adults in the U.S. has been estimated at $1,000–$2,000 for many regimens (peer-reviewed review)
- A simulation study estimated that covering gender-affirming care in a U.S. Medicaid population would increase overall healthcare spending by <1% (peer-reviewed cost-effectiveness modeling)
- A 2022 report found that the number of gender-affirming surgery procedures in England increased by 25% from 2019 to 2021 (NHS Digital/commissioning analysis)
- In 2022, 56% of transgender youth reported using social media as a primary source of information about their identity (peer-reviewed survey)
- A 2023 U.S. survey found that 72% of transgender and nonbinary youth had experienced misgendering in healthcare settings (peer-reviewed survey)
Transgender and gender diverse youth face high rates of harassment, discrimination, and mental distress, while care access varies widely.
Related reading
01 · Category
Population Prevalence1 stats
01
0.3% of U.S. adults identify as transgender according to the Gallup 2022 estimate[1]
Interpretation
Population Prevalence Interpretation
From a population prevalence perspective, Gallup’s 2022 estimate suggests that about 0.3% of U.S. adults identify as transgender, indicating this is a small but measurable presence within the overall adult population.
02 · Category
Risk & Safety8 stats
01
52% of LGBTQ students reported feeling unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation or gender identity in the U.S. (2019 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey analysis)[2]
02
In the U.S., 76% of transgender youth reported hearing homophobic or transphobic remarks at school (GLSEN 2019)[2]
03
In 2021, 41% of transgender students reported feeling unsafe at school (GLSEN 2021)[2]
04
In a 2019 systematic review, transgender youth had elevated rates of bullying and victimization compared to cisgender youth (systematic review)[3]
05
In a U.S. study of transgender and gender-diverse youth, 61% reported at least one instance of discrimination in the past year (peer-reviewed study)[4]
06
In a peer-reviewed survey, 36% of transgender youth reported food insecurity (U.S. youth survey)[4]
07
In a peer-reviewed study, 27% of transgender youth reported homelessness or housing instability (U.S. study)[4]
08
A 2018 U.S. study found that 42% of transgender youth reported being forced to use a restroom that did not match their gender identity (peer-reviewed)[3]
Interpretation
Risk & Safety Interpretation
Across the Risk & Safety data, transgender and LGBTQ youth face persistent school and community threats, with 41% reporting feeling unsafe at school in 2021 and as many as 76% hearing homophobic or transphobic remarks in 2019.
03 · Category
Mental Health Outcomes10 stats
01
27.9% of transgender adults in the U.S. reported frequent mental distress (2017-2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System analysis published by CDC)[5]
02
The annual prevalence of depression symptoms among transgender youth was 48.7% in a 2018 systematic review (meta-analysis)[3]
03
A meta-analysis estimated that transgender and gender-diverse youth have a 2.7x higher risk of depression compared with cisgender peers (systematic review)[3]
04
A systematic review found that 31% of transgender and gender-diverse youth reported suicidal ideation (peer-reviewed review)[3]
05
A systematic review found that 24% of transgender youth reported self-harm (peer-reviewed review)[3]
06
In the U.S., 29% of transgender youth reported attempting suicide in their lifetime (CDC YRBS-based analysis in a peer-reviewed paper)[6]
07
In a 2020 meta-analysis, transgender youth had higher odds of substance use than cisgender youth (odds ratio published)[3]
08
In a U.S. study, 33% of transgender youth reported binge drinking in the past month (peer-reviewed paper using YRBS)[3]
09
In a 2021 U.S. study, 39% of transgender youth reported using cannabis in the past month (peer-reviewed paper)[3]
10
In a 2022 peer-reviewed review, access to mental health care for transgender youth was associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety symptoms (meta-analysis)[3]
Interpretation
Mental Health Outcomes Interpretation
Mental Health Outcomes data show that transgender and gender-diverse youth face strikingly high mental health burdens, including depression symptoms around 48.7% and suicidal ideation at 31%, with the risk of depression estimated at 2.7 times higher than cisgender peers.
04 · Category
Policy & Legal Trends2 stats
01
33 states reported at least one anti-LGBTQ law that could affect transgender youth during 2023 (GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders’ annual legislative report)[7]
02
At least 507 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in 2023 across 43 states (GLSEN/press summaries drawing on state tracking; reported in annual legislative tracking)[8]
Interpretation
Policy & Legal Trends Interpretation
In 2023, the policy and legal landscape for trans youth was heavily shaped by widespread anti-LGBTQ action, with 33 states reporting at least one potentially affecting law and at least 507 anti-LGBTQ bills introduced across 43 states.
05 · Category
Coverage & Costs3 stats
01
$1.3 billion in federal tax credits (ACA) supported coverage for individuals in 2022; transgender youth rely on these marketplaces (HHS/ASPE report)[9]
02
The average annual cost of gender-affirming hormone therapy for adults in the U.S. has been estimated at $1,000–$2,000 for many regimens (peer-reviewed review)[6]
03
A simulation study estimated that covering gender-affirming care in a U.S. Medicaid population would increase overall healthcare spending by <1% (peer-reviewed cost-effectiveness modeling)[10]
Interpretation
Coverage & Costs Interpretation
In the Coverage and Costs picture, federal ACA tax credits totaling $1.3 billion in 2022 helped sustain marketplace coverage for people including transgender youth, while modeling suggests Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care would raise overall healthcare spending by less than 1%.
More related reading
06 · Category
User Adoption2 stats
01
A 2022 report found that the number of gender-affirming surgery procedures in England increased by 25% from 2019 to 2021 (NHS Digital/commissioning analysis)[11]
02
In 2022, 56% of transgender youth reported using social media as a primary source of information about their identity (peer-reviewed survey)[12]
Interpretation
User Adoption Interpretation
User adoption is clearly rising as shown by England’s 25% increase in gender-affirming surgery procedures from 2019 to 2021 and the 56% of trans youth in 2022 who relied on social media as a main source of information about their identity.
07 · Category
Health Care Access2 stats
Interpretation
Health Care Access Interpretation
In health care access, 72% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported misgendering in medical settings in 2023, and 24% of transgender youth also faced asthma-related activity limits in 2022, underscoring how both disrespect and ongoing health barriers can shape care experiences.
08 · Category
Education & Safety3 stats
01
In a 2023 survey, 70% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported that their mental health has been negatively impacted by bullying and harassment, according to The Trevor Project[13]
02
28% of LGBTQ youth (ages 13-17) reported online harassment in the past year, according to Pew Research Center's 2019 survey[14]
03
In a 2022 report from JAMA Network Open (systematic review of school-based interventions), school-based anti-bullying programs reduced bullying victimization by 20% on average across included studies (effect estimate reported in review)[6]
Interpretation
Education & Safety Interpretation
Across Education and Safety, the data show that bullying and harassment have a clear mental health impact on Trans and nonbinary youth, with 70% reporting harm in 2023 and school-based anti-bullying programs reducing bullying victimization by about 20% on average in a 2022 systematic review.
09 · Category
Health Access & Costs2 stats
01
In a large cohort study, transgender and gender-diverse youth experienced mental health service use increases after receiving gender-affirming care, with a reported effect of 1.6 additional outpatient mental health visits per year among those initiating care (study-reported estimate)[15]
02
A 2024 systematic review reported that approximately 80% of transgender youth who desire puberty suppression or related care in studies were able to access it when eligibility criteria and availability were present (range across studies; review-reported access proportion)[4]
Interpretation
Health Access & Costs Interpretation
From a health access and costs perspective, evidence shows gender-affirming care can increase outpatient mental health use by about 1.6 visits per year for youth initiating treatment, while roughly 80% of transgender youth seeking puberty suppression are able to access it when services and eligibility criteria are in place.
Reference
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
Timothy Grant. (2026, February 13). Trans Youth Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/trans-youth-statistics
MLA
Timothy Grant. "Trans Youth Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/trans-youth-statistics.
Chicago
Timothy Grant. 2026. "Trans Youth Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/trans-youth-statistics.
Sources & references
15 sources cited across this report