LGBTQ health - Statistics & Facts

Although society has become more accepting of different gender identities and sexual orientations, members of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) communities face ongoing stigma and discrimination. Increased internal and external stressors contribute to the social and health disparities present in this subpopulation. The experience of minority stress can have a number of negative consequences on health and functioning for LGBTQ members of all ages, including increased risk for poor physical and mental health outcomes and dangerous health behaviors. For example, the risk of suicide is alarmingly high among young gay, lesbian, and bisexual adults and surveys show that over half of transgender and non-binary youth in the U.S. have considered suicide within the past year.

LGBTQ mental health

Due to ongoing discrimination and a lack of acceptance from some corners of society, the LQBTQ community is often at a higher risk for mental health problems than other demographics. In 2020, around 43 percent of LGB adults in the United States aged 18 to 25 years reported that they had a major depressive episode in the past year. Furthermore, around 24 percent of LGB adults in this age group also reported suffering from alcohol use disorder. The combination of mental health issues and substance abuse greatly increases the risk of suicide and treatment is recommended for anyone suffering from such issues. In the United States, around 27 percent of mental health facilities offer treatment programs specifically for LGBT clients, however a large share of LGB adults suffering from substance use disorder or mental illness do not recieve treatment.

LGBTQ youth

LGBTQ youth are at especially high risk of adverse health and social outcomes and are often faced with discrimination contributing to internal and external pressures concerning their sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. For example, a survey from 2022 found that LGBTQ youth from LGBTQ-affirming homes and schools were less likely to attempt suicide than those who were from homes or attended schools that were not LGBTQ affirming. Similarly, the same survey found that the risk of suicide among transgender and nonbinary youth was lower when such youth reported that the people around them respected their pronouns. Sadly, a large share of LGBTQ youth in 2022 who wanted mental health care were unable to receive it, with 27 percent stating it was because they were not out about their LGBTQ identity and were afraid of being outed. As LGBTQ youth face a high burden of negative health outcomes, cultivating protective factors and fostering resilience is key among this age group; therefore, school and post-secondary institutions have a vital role to play in public health and social interventions.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Percentage of LGBTQ youth in the U.S. with experience with conversion therapy who attempted suicide within the past 12 months: 28%

Percentage of U.S. mental health facilities offering specific treatment programs for LGBT clients: 33%

Percentage of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults with any mental illness who reported no treatment in the past year: 44%

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Number of U.S. lesbians, gays, or bisexuals aged 18-25 years who reported suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts in the past year as of 2022 (in thousands)

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Number of U.S. LGB young adults with suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts in 2022

Percentage U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults who reported suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts in the past year as of 2020, substance use disorder status

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Suicidal thoughts, plans, attempts among U.S. LGB adults with SUD in 2020

Number of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults who had alcohol use disorder in the past year in 2020, by age (in millions)

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

U.S. LGB adults with alcohol use disorder in the past year, 2020, by age

Mental health

Basic Statistic U.S. adults who described their mental health positively by LGBT identity 2022
U.S. adults who described their mental health positively by LGBT identity 2022
Percentage of adults in the United States who described their mental health or emotional well-being positively as of 2022, by LGBT identity
Basic Statistic U.S. adults who stated select factors were sources of stress 2022, by LGBT identity
U.S. adults who stated select factors were sources of stress 2022, by LGBT identity
Percentage of adults in the United States who stated the following were a major source of stress for them as of 2022, by LGBT identity
Premium Statistic Anxiety, depression, loneliness among U.S. adults, 2022, by LGBT identity
Anxiety, depression, loneliness among U.S. adults, 2022, by LGBT identity
Percentage of adults in the United States who stated they always or often felt anxious, depressed, or lonely in the past 12 months as of 2022, by LGBT identity
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. adults experiencing anxiety symptoms as of 2022, by age and LGBT status
Share of U.S. adults experiencing anxiety symptoms as of 2022, by age and LGBT status
Percentage of adults who reported anxiety symptoms in the United States in 2022, by age and LGBT status
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. adults experiencing depression symptoms, 2022, by age and LGBT status
Share of U.S. adults experiencing depression symptoms, 2022, by age and LGBT status
Percentage of adults who reported depression symptoms in the United States in 2022, by age and LGBT status
Premium Statistic Number of U.S. LGB adults who had a major depressive episode from 2017-2020, by age
Number of U.S. LGB adults who had a major depressive episode from 2017-2020, by age
Number of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults who reported a major depressive episode in the past year from 2017 to 2020, by age (in thousands)
Basic Statistic U.S. LGB adults who had a recent major depressive episode from 2017-2020, by age
U.S. LGB adults who had a recent major depressive episode from 2017-2020, by age
Percentage of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults who reported a major depressive episode in the past year from 2017 to 2020, by age
Premium Statistic Number of U.S. LGB young adults with suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts in 2022
Number of U.S. LGB young adults with suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts in 2022
Number of U.S. lesbians, gays, or bisexuals aged 18-25 years who reported suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts in the past year as of 2022 (in thousands)
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGB young adults with suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts in 2022
Share of U.S. LGB young adults with suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts in 2022
Percentage of U.S. lesbians, gays, or bisexuals aged 18-25 years who reported suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts in the past year as of 2022
Premium Statistic Suicidal thoughts, plans, attempts among U.S. LGB adults with SUD in 2020
Suicidal thoughts, plans, attempts among U.S. LGB adults with SUD in 2020
Percentage U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults who reported suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts in the past year as of 2020, substance use disorder status
Basic Statistic Prevalence of smoking and drinking among U.S. LGB adults with mental illness in 2022
Prevalence of smoking and drinking among U.S. LGB adults with mental illness in 2022
Percentage of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults with mental illness who reported use of tobacco or binge-drinking in the past month as of 2022, by degree of mental illness

Mental health among youth

Basic Statistic U.S. high school students with poor mental health, 2021, by sexual identity
U.S. high school students with poor mental health, 2021, by sexual identity
Percentage of high school students in the United States who experienced poor mental health in the past 30 days as of 2021, by sexual identity
Basic Statistic U.S. high school students with feelings of hopelessness, 2021, by sexual identity
U.S. high school students with feelings of hopelessness, 2021, by sexual identity
Percentage of high school students in the United States who experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year in 2021, by sexual identity
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth who reported anxiety or depression in 2022, by sexuality
Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth who reported anxiety or depression in 2022, by sexuality
Percentage of U.S. LGBTQ youth who reported feelings of anxiety or depression in 2022, by sexual orientation
Premium Statistic Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth who reported anxiety or depression 2022, by gender identity
Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth who reported anxiety or depression 2022, by gender identity
Percentage of U.S. LGBTQ youth who reported feelings of anxiety or depression in 2022, by gender identity
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth who reported anxiety or depression 2022, by race/ethnicity
Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth who reported anxiety or depression 2022, by race/ethnicity
Percentage of U.S. LGBTQ youth who reported feelings of anxiety or depression in 2022, by race and ethnicity
Basic Statistic Trends in anxiety/depression and suicide risk among U.S. LGBTQ youth 2020-2022
Trends in anxiety/depression and suicide risk among U.S. LGBTQ youth 2020-2022
Share of LGBTQ youth with symptoms of depression or anxiety or suicide risk in the United States from 2020 to 2022
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. high school students who considered suicide by sexual identity 2021
Share of U.S. high school students who considered suicide by sexual identity 2021
Percentage of high school students in the United States who seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year as of 2021, by sexual identity
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. high school students who attempted suicide, 2021, by sexual identity
Share of U.S. high school students who attempted suicide, 2021, by sexual identity
Percentage of high school students in the United States who attempted suicide in the past year as of 2021, by sexual identity
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth who considered or attempted suicide in the past year 2021
Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth who considered or attempted suicide in the past year 2021
Percentage of U.S. LGBTQ youth who had considered or attempted suicide within the past 12 months as of 2021
Basic Statistic U.S. LGBTQ youth who experienced conversion therapy and attempted suicide 2022
U.S. LGBTQ youth who experienced conversion therapy and attempted suicide 2022
Percentage of LGBTQ youth in the U.S. with experience with conversion therapy who attempted suicide within the past 12 months as of 2022
Basic Statistic U.S. transgender youth who attempted suicide 2022, by gender-affirming spaces
U.S. transgender youth who attempted suicide 2022, by gender-affirming spaces
Percentage of U.S. transgender and nonbinary youth who attempted suicide in the past year as of 2022, by gender-affirming spaces
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. transgender youth who attempted suicide, 2020, by pronoun respect
Share of U.S. transgender youth who attempted suicide, 2020, by pronoun respect
Percentage of U.S. transgender and nonbinary youth who attempted suicide as of 2020, by the number of people who respected their pronouns

Barriers to treatment

Premium Statistic Share of U.S. LGB adults with untreated substance use or mental health disorders 2022
Share of U.S. LGB adults with untreated substance use or mental health disorders 2022
Percentage of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults with substance abuse or mental illness problems who reported no treatment in the past year as of 2022*
Basic Statistic Leading reasons LGBTQ youth in the U.S. did not get mental health help 2022
Leading reasons LGBTQ youth in the U.S. did not get mental health help 2022
Percentage of U.S. LGBTQ youth who wanted mental health care but were unable to get it for select reasons as of 2022
Premium Statistic Unmet health care needs due to costs in the U.S. in 2022. by sexuality
Unmet health care needs due to costs in the U.S. in 2022. by sexuality
Share of people who postponed or did not try to get necessary medical care or preventive screenings in the past year due to costs in the U.S. in 2022, by sexuality and demography
Premium Statistic Unmet health care needs due to discrimination in the U.S. in 2022, by sexuality
Unmet health care needs due to discrimination in the U.S. in 2022, by sexuality
Share of people who postponed or did not try to get necessary medical care or preventive screenings due to discrimination in the U.S. in 2022, by sexuality and demography
Premium Statistic LGBTQ+ people who encountered refusals by health care providers in the U.S. 2022
LGBTQ+ people who encountered refusals by health care providers in the U.S. 2022
Share of LGBTQ+ people who experienced various types of health care refusals by health care providers in the past year in the U.S. as of 2022, by sexuality and race
Premium Statistic Reasons for unmet mental health needs among transgender adults in the U.S. in 2022
Reasons for unmet mental health needs among transgender adults in the U.S. in 2022
Share of main reasons due to which transgender adults did not get the mental health care they needed in the past year in the U.S. in 2022
Premium Statistic Transgender people who encountered refusals by health care providers in the U.S. 2022
Transgender people who encountered refusals by health care providers in the U.S. 2022
Share of transgender people who experienced health care refusals by health care providers in the past year in the U.S. as of 2022, by race
Basic Statistic Mental health facilities offering programs for specific client groups U.S. 2022
Mental health facilities offering programs for specific client groups U.S. 2022
Percentage of U.S. mental health facilities offering treatment programs for specific client groups in 2022

Drug use

Basic Statistic Number of Illicit drug users among U.S. LGB adults in the past year, 2022, by drug
Number of Illicit drug users among U.S. LGB adults in the past year, 2022, by drug
Number of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults who reported illicit drug use in the past year as of 2022, by drug (in thousands)
Basic Statistic Share of illicit drug use among U.S. LGB adults in the past year as of 2022, by drug
Share of illicit drug use among U.S. LGB adults in the past year as of 2022, by drug
Percentage of lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults who reported illicit drug use in the past year in the U.S. as of 2022, by drug
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGB adults with alcohol use disorder in the past year, 2020 by age
Share of U.S. LGB adults with alcohol use disorder in the past year, 2020 by age
Percentage of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults who had alcohol use disorder in the past year in 2020, by age
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGB adults who had used marijuana in the past month, 2017-2020, by age
Share of U.S. LGB adults who had used marijuana in the past month, 2017-2020, by age
Percentage of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults who had used marijuana in the past month from 2017 to 2020, by age
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGB adults who had used cocaine in the past year, 2017-2020, by age
Share of U.S. LGB adults who had used cocaine in the past year, 2017-2020, by age
Percentage of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults who had used cocaine in the past year from 2017 to 2020, by age
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGB adults who had used meth in the past year, 2017-2020, by age
Share of U.S. LGB adults who had used meth in the past year, 2017-2020, by age
Percentage of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults who had used methamphetamines in the past year from 2017 to 2020, by age
Premium Statistic Share of U.S. LGB adults who misused prescription opioids in 2022, by drug
Share of U.S. LGB adults who misused prescription opioids in 2022, by drug
Percentage of U.S. lesbian, gay or bisexual adults who reported misuse of prescription opioids in 2022, by drug*
Basic Statistic U.S. adult tobacco product use in 2021, by sexual orientation
U.S. adult tobacco product use in 2021, by sexual orientation
Percentage of U.S. adults that used various forms of tobacco products in 2021, by sexual orientation

Special: Impact of COVID-19

Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGBTQ adults who felt depressed about COVID-19 as of June 2020
Share of U.S. LGBTQ adults who felt depressed about COVID-19 as of June 2020
Percentage of LGBTQ adults in the United States who felt down, depressed, or hopeless in the past two weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic as of June 2020, by frequency
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGBTQ adults who had trouble sleeping due to COVID-19 as of June 2020
Share of U.S. LGBTQ adults who had trouble sleeping due to COVID-19 as of June 2020
Percentage of LGBTQ adults in the United States who had trouble falling asleep or staying asleep in the past two weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic as of June 2020, by frequency
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGBTQ adults who were nervous or anxious about COVID-19 as of June 2020
Share of U.S. LGBTQ adults who were nervous or anxious about COVID-19 as of June 2020
Percentage of LGBTQ adults in the United States who were nervous or anxious in the past two weeks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as of June 2020, by frequency
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth with select emotions since COVID-19 as of July 2020
Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth with select emotions since COVID-19 as of July 2020
Percentage of LGBTQ youth experiencing select emotions since the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States as of July 2020
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth more or less anxious since COVID-19 as of July 2020
Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth more or less anxious since COVID-19 as of July 2020
Percentage of LGBTQ youth who were more or less anxious since the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States as of July 2020
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth who were more or less lonely since COVID-19 as of July 2020
Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth who were more or less lonely since COVID-19 as of July 2020
Percentage of LGBTQ youth who were more or less lonely since the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States as of July 2020
Basic Statistic Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth with or without mental health care since COVID, July 2020
Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth with or without mental health care since COVID, July 2020
Percentage of LGBTQ youth with or without access or desire for mental health care since the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. as of July 2020

Miscellaneous

Premium Statistic Cases of syphilis in the United States in 2022, by gender and sexual behavior
Cases of syphilis in the United States in 2022, by gender and sexual behavior
Distribution of syphilis cases in the United States in 2022, by gender and sexual behavior*
Basic Statistic Distribution of AIDS diagnoses in New York in 2020, by transmission category
Distribution of AIDS diagnoses in New York in 2020, by transmission category
Distribution of AIDS diagnoses among adults and adolescents in New York in 2020, by transmission category
Basic Statistic Distribution of AIDS diagnoses in California in 2020, by transmission
Distribution of AIDS diagnoses in California in 2020, by transmission
Distribution of AIDS diagnoses among adults and adolescents in California in 2020, by transmission category
Premium Statistic LGBT+ Healthcare equality leaders in the U.S. in 2022, by state
LGBT+ Healthcare equality leaders in the U.S. in 2022, by state
Number of LGBT+ healthcare equality leaders in the United States in 2022, by state
Premium Statistic Employees who considered switching jobs for better health benefits in the U.S. 2021
Employees who considered switching jobs for better health benefits in the U.S. 2021
Share of employees who considered switching employers for better health and other benefits in the past year in the U.S. as of 2021, by sexuality

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Key figures

The most important key figures provide you with a compact summary of the topic of "LGBTQ health in the U.S." and take you straight to the corresponding statistics.

Percentage of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults 18-25 who reported a major depressive episode in the past year
43%
Detailed statistics
U.S. LGB adults who had a recent major depressive episode from 2017-2020, by age
Percentage of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults 18-25 years who reported suicidal thoughts in the past year
30%
Detailed statistics
Share of U.S. LGB young adults with suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts in 2022
Percentage of U.S. transgender and non-binary youth who had considered suicide within the past 12 months
53%
Detailed statistics
Share of U.S. LGBTQ youth who considered or attempted suicide in the past year 2021

Most used illicit drug among U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults
Marijuana
Detailed statistics
Share of illicit drug use among U.S. LGB adults in the past year as of 2022, by drug
Percentage of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults 26 and older who had used marijuana in the past month
26%
Detailed statistics
Share of U.S. LGB adults who had used marijuana in the past month, 2017-2020, by age
Percentage of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults 18-25 who had used cocaine in the past year
3.3%
Detailed statistics
Share of U.S. LGB adults who had used cocaine in the past year, 2017-2020, by age
Number of U.S. lesbian, gay, or bisexual adults 18-25 who had alcohol use disorder in the past year
1.3 million
Detailed statistics
U.S. LGB adults with alcohol use disorder in the past year, 2020, by age

Share of LGBTQ+ people who had a health provider intentionally refuse to recognize their family
9%
Detailed statistics
LGBTQ+ people who encountered refusals by health care providers in the U.S. 2022
Share of transgender adults who did not get the mental health care they needed in the past year due to cost
14%
Detailed statistics
Reasons for unmet mental health needs among transgender adults in the U.S. in 2022
Share of LGBTQI+ people who postponed or did not try to get necessary medical care due to discrimination
23%
Detailed statistics
Unmet health care needs due to discrimination in the U.S. in 2022, by sexuality

Share of syphilis cases in the U.S. that were among men who only have sex with men
31%
Detailed statistics
Cases of syphilis in the United States in 2022, by gender and sexual behavior
Share of AIDS diagnosis in New York with male-to-male sexual contact
53%
Detailed statistics
Distribution of AIDS diagnoses in New York in 2020, by transmission category
Share of LGBTQ+ employees who considered switching employers for better health and other benefits in the past year
34%
Detailed statistics
Employees who considered switching jobs for better health benefits in the U.S. 2021