The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has unveiled its first-ever national estimates of the LGBTI+ population.

The agency says the data marks a milestone in understanding the demographics of this diverse community. 

Using data from nearly 45,000 respondents across four major health surveys, the ABS estimates that over 900,000 Australians aged 16 and over identify as LGBTI+. 

This represents about 4.5 per cent of the population.  

Younger Australians are driving this representation, with nearly one in ten people aged 16 to 24 identifying as LGBTI+.  

The data also shed light on specific groups within the community. 

Approximately 3.6 per cent of Australians - around 740,000 people - identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or use another term to describe their sexual orientation, with a third of this group in marriages or de facto relationships. 

Meanwhile, around 178,900 Australians (0.9 per cent) identify as trans or gender diverse, including trans men, trans women, and non-binary people. 

A smaller group, comprising approximately 63,300 people, report being born with variations in sex characteristics.  

Notably, the LGBTI+ population is predominantly younger. 

Over half of those identifying as LGBTI+ are aged between 16 and 34, reflecting a generational shift in how Australians express and identify their gender and sexual orientation. 

In contrast, fewer than 8 per cent of LGBTI+ individuals are aged 65 or older.  

These findings mirror similar patterns observed in New Zealand, where 3.6 per cent of people identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and 0.6 per cent as trans or gender diverse. 

The ABS has emphasised the experimental nature of these statistics, noting the challenges of under-reporting due to the sensitivity of the questions. 

Despite this, the results offer critical insights into a historically underrepresented group.  

The 2026 Australian Census will, for the first time, include questions on sexual orientation and gender identity for those aged 16 and over. 

This development is expected to provide more comprehensive data, including insights into the geographic and socio-economic characteristics of LGBTI+ Australians.  

More details are accessible here.

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