Straight facts: Just 5% identify as LGBT+, mostly white, more likely to be unemployed

Summarised by Centrist

New figures released by Stats NZ show that only 5% of New Zealand adults identify as LGBT+, with transgender and non-binary people making up just 0.7% of the population. 

Not only do the numbers reveal serious inequalities within the LGBT+ community, but they also confirm the group is smaller and less diverse than many may assume.

Based on the Household Economic Survey of nearly 29,000 people, the data shows 96% of New Zealanders identify as heterosexual. Among the 4% who identify as sexual minorities, 1.5% are gay or lesbian, 2.1% bisexual, and 0.6% fall into other categories.

LGBT+ individuals were significantly more likely to report poor outcomes across a range of indicators. They were:

• Twice as likely to be unemployed
• Twice as likely to report having a disability
• Twice as likely to suffer from depression
• 1.5 times more likely to experience anxiety

Ethnic breakdowns showed Māori had the highest LGBT+ identification rate at 7%, followed by European New Zealanders at 5%. Despite the prominence of rainbow branding in diversity policies, 77% of the LGBT+ population is white.

Correction: An original version of this article said most LGBT+ people were unemployed. This is incorrect. The article headline has been amended. We apologise for any confusion.

Read more over at Stats NZ

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