Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
LGBTQ+ in the UK - Statistics & Facts
According to the most recent census in England and Wales, approximately 3.2 percent of the population identified with an LGB+ sexual orientation, or approximately 1.5 million people. In the same census, 0.5 percent of the population, around 262,000 people, identified with a different sex from the one they were registered with at birth. The actual size of the UK's LGBTQ+ community is likely much larger than these figures indicate, due to the voluntary nature of these questions, and the fact the survey only counted those aged 16 or over. A recent survey of generations in Great Britain, suggested that only 71 percent of Generation Z identified as being straight, for example. In the same survey, when the question was about attraction rather than identity, just over half of Generation Z said they were exclusively attracted to the opposite sex, compared with 61 percent of millennials, 71 percent of Generation X, and 77 percent of baby boomers.
Same-sex marriage in the UK
Since March 2014, same-sex marriage has been legal in England and Wales, and in Scotland since December 2014. The last jurisdiction to recognize same-sex marriage in the UK was Northern Ireland, which did so at the start of 2020. Prior to the legalization of same-sex marriage across the UK, it was possible for same-sex couples to form a civil partnership, which were introduced in late 2005. Civil partnerships reached a peak of 16,106 formations in 2006, which was the first full year they were able to be performed. Among the British public, same-sex marriage enjoys widespread support. As of December 2024, 75 percent of people in Great Britain supported the law-change that allowed same-sex marriage, with just 17 percent opposing it.Discrimination of LGBTQ+ community
Despite improving attitudes and acceptance, the LGBTQ+ community still face various forms of discrimination. As of 2022 for example, almost half of LGBTQ+ people thought that they faced discrimination at their place of work due to their sexual orientation. In the same survey, more than a quarter of respondents strongly agreed that LGBTQ+ workers were discriminated against due to their gender identity. A different survey also revealed that LGBTQ+ workers were often the targets of being undermined or humiliated at work, something experienced by 39 percent of trans workers, and one in five LGB+ workers. The rise of hate crimes against people for their sexual orientation, or because they are transgender is also a signal that, despite recent progress, more work is required in making the UK a safer and more inclusive country for LGBTQ+ people.
