With a population comparable to the entire state of Nebraska or to the number of people who run marathons each year, transgender individuals form a vibrant and essential part of our communities, yet as the following statistics reveal, their journey is marked by both resilience and profound challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Approximately 1.6 million people aged 13 and older identify as transgender in the United States, representing 0.6% of this population
- In 2022, 0.7% of U.S. young adults aged 18-24 identified as transgender, compared to 0.5% of those aged 25-34
- The transgender population in the U.S. is estimated at 1.4 million adults (0.6%) with youth (13-17) adding about 300,000, totaling 1.7 million
- 40% of transgender Americans have attempted suicide at some point
- Transgender youth have 4x higher rate of suicide attempts (41%) vs cisgender peers (10%)
- 54% of transgender men report seriously considering suicide in past year, per 2022 Trevor Project
- Transgender people experience 2.5x higher rates of HIV infection, exacerbating mental health
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in trans women increases thromboembolic events by 5-fold
- Trans men on testosterone have 4x higher cardiovascular disease risk after 4 years
- 30% of transgender students report discrimination in healthcare settings
- 46% of transgender adults avoided medical care due to discrimination fears
- Unemployment rate for transgender people: 12% vs 5% general U.S. population
- 24 U.S. states ban gender-affirming care for minors as of 2024
- 21 states have passed laws restricting trans athletes in school sports by gender
- U.S. Supreme Court Bostock v. Clayton 2020 ruled trans discrimination covered under Title VII
Transgender individuals face significant health and discrimination challenges despite growing visibility.
Demographics
- Approximately 1.6 million people aged 13 and older identify as transgender in the United States, representing 0.6% of this population
- In 2022, 0.7% of U.S. young adults aged 18-24 identified as transgender, compared to 0.5% of those aged 25-34
- The transgender population in the U.S. is estimated at 1.4 million adults (0.6%) with youth (13-17) adding about 300,000, totaling 1.7 million
- In the UK, 0.5% of the population aged 16+ (262,000 people) identified as transgender in the 2021 Census
- Gallup poll 2023 shows 0.7% of U.S. adults identify as transgender, up from 0.6% in 2021
- Among U.S. adults, 1.0% of Gen Z (born 1997-2004) identify as transgender per Gallup 2023 data
- 0.9% of U.S. adults aged 18-29 identify as transgender according to 2022 Pew survey
- In Canada, 0.33% of population aged 15+ (100,815 people) identified as transgender in 2021 census
- Sweden reports 0.46% of adults seeking gender-affirming care between 2005-2015
- In the Netherlands, transgender identification rates among youth referrals to gender clinics rose from 0.01% to 0.35% of birth cohort 1989-2001
- U.S. military has approximately 15,000 transgender service members as of 2016 estimates
- 25% of transgender Americans are veterans, higher than the general population's 10%
- In New York City, 1.2% of adults (approx 44,000) identify as transgender per 2015 survey
- Australia 2021 census: 0.52% (over 48,000) non-binary/transgender/gender diverse
- Finland: 0.04% of population has undergone legal gender change by 2020
- U.S. transgender population projected to double to 1.8 million adults by 2030 due to aging
- 38% of transgender adults in U.S. are people of color per 2015 survey
- Among U.S. transgender youth, 15% are Black, 25% Latinx per Williams Institute
- 21% of transgender Americans have children under 18 at home
- Median age of transgender adults in U.S. is 32 years, younger than cisgender median of 47
- In U.S., 48% of transgender people live in urban areas, 27% suburban, 25% rural
- 16% of U.S. transgender adults are immigrants
- Hawaii has highest transgender percentage at 1.0% of adults, per Williams Institute
- D.C. has 2.77% transgender adults, highest rate in U.S.
- North Dakota lowest at 0.24% transgender adults
- 0.6% of U.S. adults 65+ identify as transgender, per recent estimates
- Globally, transgender population estimated at 25 million
- In India, approx 500,000 transgender people officially recognized as third gender
- Brazil has over 2 million transgender people, highest per capita outside Thailand
- Thailand: 0.3-0.6% of population (200,000-400,000) identify as transgender
Demographics Interpretation
While there are nearly two million transgender Americans, often framed as a tiny statistical "anomaly," this number represents a real and growing community—roughly the entire population of Phoenix, Arizona—who are demanding their seat at the table and proving that visibility, not just data, is what truly counts.
Discrimination
- 30% of transgender students report discrimination in healthcare settings
- 46% of transgender adults avoided medical care due to discrimination fears
- Unemployment rate for transgender people: 12% vs 5% general U.S. population
- 33% of trans people fired, denied promotion, or not hired due to gender identity
- Poverty rate: 29% for trans people vs 12% general population
- Homelessness lifetime: 36% trans adults vs 7% cis
- 54% experienced verbal harassment, 24% physical assault due to trans status past year
- Sexual assault lifetime: 47% trans women, 47% trans men
- Police harassment: 20% trans people past year
- Family rejection: 8% kicked out of home as teen
- 77% of trans students feel unsafe at school due to identity
- 75% of trans people hide identity at work to avoid discrimination
- Wage gap: trans people earn 32% less on average than cis peers
- 18% of trans respondents experienced workplace discrimination in EU survey
- Partner violence: 31% physical, 54% psychological for trans people
- 65% of trans youth report online harassment related to identity
- Housing discrimination: 19% denied lease, evicted due to trans status
- Retail discrimination: 22% refused service past year
- Trans women of color: 65% unemployment or poverty
- 44% of trans people report major discrimination past year
- School absenteeism due to safety: 35% trans students miss school
- 11% of trans people incarcerated lifetime, vs 3% general
- Mistreated by police: 9% arrested for trans appearance
- 60% avoid public restrooms due to harassment fears
- Trans murder rate: 2.7 per 100,000 vs 5.5 general homicide, but targeted
- 81% of trans murders are trans women of color
- Job loss due to transition: 15% trans workers
- 50% report verbal/ physical abuse from family
- Healthcare denial: 28% denied equal treatment
Discrimination Interpretation
The statistics paint a chilling portrait of a society that systematically pushes transgender people to the margins through prejudice in healthcare, employment, housing, and safety, creating a cascade of vulnerability where simply trying to live authentically becomes an act of immense courage.
Mental Health
- 40% of transgender Americans have attempted suicide at some point
- Transgender youth have 4x higher rate of suicide attempts (41%) vs cisgender peers (10%)
- 54% of transgender men report seriously considering suicide in past year, per 2022 Trevor Project
- Depression rates among transgender adults: 48% past month, vs 4% general population
- Anxiety disorders affect 40% of transgender people lifetime
- 7.3% of transgender youth attempted suicide in past year (2023 Trevor), vs 1.8% cisgender LGBQ
- Transgender nonbinary youth report 2.5x higher depression rates than binary trans youth
- Lifetime suicide attempt rate for trans women: 45%, trans men: 40%, nonbinary: 42%
- 82% of transgender individuals have considered suicide, 39% attempted, per 2015 USTS
- PTSD prevalence among transgender adults: 29% past year
- Eating disorder lifetime prevalence: 21% for trans men, 12% trans women
- Self-harm rates: 37% of trans youth past year (Trevor 2023)
- Bipolar disorder diagnosis: 10% transgender vs 2.6% general pop
- Schizophrenia spectrum higher in trans population: OR 5.3 in Swedish study
- Autism spectrum diagnosis 3-6x higher among transgender youth referrals
- 51% of transgender people report psychological distress in past month vs 5% cis
- After transition, suicide attempts drop but still 19x higher than cis controls (Swedish study)
- Regret after transition: 1-2% but suicide post-op 19.1x higher long-term
- 12-month suicide attempt rate post-hormones: 9.4% trans women, 5.1% trans men
- Mental health improvement post-surgery: 80% report better, but comorbidities persist
- Family rejection triples suicide attempt risk for trans youth
- Bullying victimization: 73% of trans students, correlates with 2x suicide ideation
- Conversion therapy exposure: 13% trans adults, increases suicide attempts by 2x
- 60% of trans people with access to affirming care report lower distress
- Lifetime MDD: 52% trans vs 20% cis women
- Transgender individuals have 3x rate of borderline personality disorder
- Substance use disorder past year: 30% trans vs 9% general
- 44% of trans youth seriously considered suicide past year (2023)
- HIV-positive trans women: 13.5% prevalence in U.S., linked to mental health comorbidities
- Hormone therapy associated with 60% reduction in psychological distress in one study
- Post-gender confirmation surgery, regret rates <1%, mental health improves for 94%
Mental Health Interpretation
These numbers are a stark ledger of suffering, revealing that being transgender in our society is, statistically, a profound mental health emergency rooted not in identity itself, but in a relentless storm of rejection, discrimination, and lack of access to the simple dignity of care.
Physical Health
- Transgender people experience 2.5x higher rates of HIV infection, exacerbating mental health
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in trans women increases thromboembolic events by 5-fold
- Trans men on testosterone have 4x higher cardiovascular disease risk after 4 years
- Post-phalloplasty complication rates: 25-50% require revision surgery
- Vaginoplasty satisfaction: 94% but 20% need dilation issues long-term
- Bone density loss in trans women on HRT: T-scores drop 0.5-1.0 SD after 2 years
- Trans women post-orchiectomy: prostate cancer risk low but breast cancer risk rises to 46x
- Polycythemia from testosterone therapy in trans men: 5-10% incidence
- Liver function abnormalities in 3-6% on oral estrogens for trans women
- Fertility preservation utilization: only 4% of trans youth pursue before transition
- Post-op urinary complications in trans women: 22% incontinence
- Trans men mastectomy: nipple necrosis 10-20%, hematoma 15%
- Cervical cancer screening adherence in trans men: 33% lower than cis women
- Osteoporosis risk in trans women: 20% after 10 years HRT without monitoring
- Smoking rates among trans people: 29% vs 16% general population
- Alcohol use disorder: 19% trans vs 7% cis
- Illicit drug use past month: 22% trans adults
- Asthma prevalence: 27% trans vs 13% general
- Arthritis: 15% trans adults report diagnosis
- Cancer diagnosis rates similar but access issues higher, 7% lifetime
- Post-HRT breast cancer in trans women: 0.3% incidence after 20 years
- Endometrial cancer risk in trans men negligible post-hysterectomy, but pre-op screening key
- Venous thromboembolism risk with cyproterone acetate: 15x higher
- 80% of trans women on HRT achieve female-range cholesterol after 1 year
- Height retention in trans men: average 173 cm vs 175 cm cis men
- Voice pitch drop in trans men on T: from 200Hz to 120Hz average
- Satisfaction with HRT: 85-95% report positive physical changes
- Regret after gender confirmation surgery: 0.3-3.8% across studies
Physical Health Interpretation
The data paints a stark, systemic picture: being transgender in a world not built for you means your path to yourself is statistically paved with greater health risks, yet it remains a road almost all who travel it find profoundly worth taking.
Policy
- 24 U.S. states ban gender-affirming care for minors as of 2024
- 21 states have passed laws restricting trans athletes in school sports by gender
- U.S. Supreme Court Bostock v. Clayton 2020 ruled trans discrimination covered under Title VII
- 500+ anti-trans bills introduced in U.S. states 2023, 84 passed
- UK Tavistock clinic closed 2024 after Cass Review found weak evidence for youth transition
- 25 countries recognize non-binary gender markers on IDs
- U.S. military banned trans service 2019-2021, now allows with standards
- Norway, Sweden, Finland halted youth hormones 2022-2024 pending reviews
- EU: 70% countries ban conversion therapy for minors
- Title IX interpretations shifted under Biden to protect trans students 2021
- 10 U.S. states require bathroom use by birth sex
- Canada passed Bill C-16 adding gender identity to human rights code 2017
- 40% of U.S. trans people live in states with no gender ID change laws
- Iceland leads with full trans rights including self-ID since 2019
- 2024: 5 countries (Argentina, etc.) allow self-ID without medical gatekeeping
- U.S. passport gender marker X available since 2022
- 515 anti-LGBTQ bills in 2024 U.S. states, 86 passed mostly trans-related
- WPATH SOC8 removed age minimums for surgery in some cases 2022
- 80% of Fortune 500 companies offer trans-inclusive health insurance 2023
- EU Court ruled trans self-ID compatible with human rights 2021
- 15 U.S. states protect trans healthcare access explicitly
- Global: 30 countries criminalize trans existence implicitly via laws
- NCAA policy: trans women testosterone <10 nmol/L for 12 months to compete
- IOC framework 2021: no presumption of advantage for trans women, case-by-case
- 48% of trans athletes compete without hormone suppression in college per NCAA
- UK's GRA reform blocked 2022 after Scotland supreme court ruling
- 70% U.S. voters support trans healthcare bans for minors per poll
- Trans women in female prisons: policies vary, e.g. California allows self-ID transfer
Policy Interpretation
This swirling maelstrom of statistics paints a stark picture: as nations like Iceland boldly advance trans rights with self-identification, a significant portion of America seems determined to legislate trans people back into the closet, all while the courts and corporate suites send profoundly mixed signals about who is allowed to exist freely.
Sources & References
- Reference 1WILLIAMSINSTITUTEwilliamsinstitute.law.ucla.eduVisit source
- Reference 2PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 3ONSons.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 4NEWSnews.gallup.comVisit source
- Reference 5STATCANwww150.statcan.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 6JOURNALSjournals.plos.orgVisit source
- Reference 7LINKlink.springer.comVisit source
- Reference 8NYCwww1.nyc.govVisit source
- Reference 9ABSabs.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 10DUODECIMLEHTIduodecimlehti.fiVisit source
- Reference 11TRANSEQUALITYtransequality.orgVisit source
- Reference 12GATESFOUNDATIONgatesfoundation.orgVisit source
- Reference 13HRWhrw.orgVisit source
- Reference 14IBGEibge.gov.brVisit source
- Reference 15NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 16THETREVORPROJECTthetrevorproject.orgVisit source
- Reference 17JAMANETWORKjamanetwork.comVisit source
- Reference 18CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 19PUBMEDpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 20GLSENglsen.orgVisit source
- Reference 21KFFkff.orgVisit source
- Reference 22THELANCETthelancet.comVisit source
- Reference 23ACADEMICacademic.oup.comVisit source
- Reference 24JOURNALSjournals.lww.comVisit source
- Reference 25ENDOCRINEPRACTICEendocrinepractice.orgVisit source
- Reference 26MCKINSEYmckinsey.comVisit source
- Reference 27FRAfra.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 28HRChrc.orgVisit source
- Reference 29ACLUaclu.orgVisit source
- Reference 30NCAAncaa.orgVisit source
- Reference 31SUPREMECOURTsupremecourt.govVisit source
- Reference 32CASScass.independent-review.ukVisit source
- Reference 33EQUALDEXequaldex.comVisit source
- Reference 34DEFENSEdefense.govVisit source
- Reference 35SEGMsegm.orgVisit source
- Reference 36COMMISSIONcommission.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 37EDwww2.ed.govVisit source
- Reference 38NCSLncsl.orgVisit source
- Reference 39PARLparl.caVisit source
- Reference 40GOVERNMENTgovernment.isVisit source
- Reference 41TRAVELtravel.state.govVisit source
- Reference 42WPATHwpath.orgVisit source
- Reference 43HUDOChudoc.echr.coe.intVisit source
- Reference 44WWW MOVEMENTADVANCEMENTPROJECTwww movementadvancementproject.orgVisit source
- Reference 45ILGAilga.orgVisit source
- Reference 46OLYMPICSolympics.comVisit source
- Reference 47GOVgov.scotVisit source
- Reference 48RASMUSSENREPORTSrasmussenreports.comVisit source
- Reference 49CDCRcdcr.ca.govVisit source