More young adults than ever in the UK are now identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual, new figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed. The proportion of 16 to 24-year-olds who are LGB has almost quadrupled in a decade and now stands at over one in 10. Roughly 10.5 per
More young adults than ever in the UK are now identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual, new figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have revealed.
The proportion of 16 to 24-year-olds who are LGB has almost quadrupled in a decade and now stands at over one in 10.
Roughly 10.5 per cent of Gen Z identified as LGB in 2023, up from just 2.8 per cent in 2014 and 4.4 per cent in 2018.
Across the UK population as a whole, an estimated 3.8 per cent of those aged over 16 identified as LGB — the equivalent of 2.1 million Brits.
This is up over a million since 2018, when the figure stood at 2.2 per cent, meaning it has almost doubled.
The proportion identifying as heterosexual has fallen over the same period, from 94.6 per cent to 93.6 per cent.
This drop ‘may be attributed to more people being more open to identifying their own sexual orientation as being LGB,’ the ONS said.
This ‘together with changing societal attitudes means a greater acceptance of different sexual orientations’, they added.
Commenting on the findings, Stonewall CEO, Simon Blake, said: “The ONS statistics are a timely reminder that lesbian, gay and bisexual people are a growing part of UK society, with more LGB young people than ever before. The more than one in ten of 16-24 year olds identifying as LGB will be a crucial part of our workplaces, politics and lives. They will have colleagues, friends and families who support them and they will deserve – and demand – equal rights and opportunities.
“This data should be a wake up call to organisations and Governments who are rolling back on their commitments to LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion. With these changing demographics, regressive policies and ideals won’t stand the test of time, and those who want to ensure a more secure and prosperous future must stand firm in their commitment to equality and inclusion for all; despite the politics of the moment.”
