One in 200 identifies as transgender, census shows

First official data of its kind gathered for England and Wales, though activists say the true figure is higher

THERE are more than 250,000 transgender people in England and Wales, according to the first data of its kind from a national census. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published figures on sexual orientation and gender identity after the questions were asked for the first time in last year’s census.

The data, which suggests that one in 200 people identifies as transgender, will help ministers make policy decisions and comply with equality laws.

The gender identity question in the census was asked of those aged 16 and over and answering was optional. It read: “Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth?” Overall, 45.7 million (94 per cent) answered; 45.4 million (93.5 per cent) said “Yes”, 262,000 (0.5 per cent) said “No”. The remaining 2.9 million (6 per cent) did not answer.

Stonewall, the LGBTQ+ charity, hailed the data as “historic”, rendering people finally “visible”.

Some transgender activists suggested the responses did not reflect the true number because many “are still very cautious about revealing they are trans”.

The ONS also published data on sexuality and found that around 43.4 million people (89.4 per cent) identify as heterosexual, around 1.5 million (3.2 per cent) identify with an LGB+ orientation (“gay or lesbian”, “bisexual” or “other sexual orientation”). The remaining 3.6 million (7.5 per cent) did not answer.

Prior to publication of the 2021 census data for England and Wales, the latest estimates used by the Government Equalities Office had suggested there are 200,000 to 500,000 transgender people across the whole of the UK.

Dr Jane Hamlin, president of the Beaumont Society charity, which supports transgender and non-binary people, said: “It is encouraging that the census included [the] questions ... as this helps show that although trans people are a tiny minority they account for a large number of real living people.

“However, the number does seem to be a little on the low side ... so many trans and non-binary people are still very cautious about revealing that they are trans, particularly in the light of all the misinformation and scaremongering that has been reported.”

Nancy Kelley, chief executive of Stonewall, said the data finally “paints an accurate picture of the diverse ‘Rainbow Britain’ that we now live in”.

She said: “For the past two centuries of data gathering through our national census, LGBTQ+ people have been invisible. This data will help Stonewall and others make the case to better target resources. It means our country knows itself a little better today.”

The Equality and Human Rights Commission said accurate data on sex and gender would help the Government make better decisions about services.