UK transgender rates

In June 2009, the Gender Identity Research and Education Society published a report on the prevalence, incidence and geographic distribution of people seeking treatment for gender dysphoria within the UK.

The GIRES report is intended to provide healthcare, police services and employers with information on the numbers of people in pertinent groups within the transgender spectrum in the UK.

The report is drawn from 3 recent surveys in the UK and Europe, plus additional material.

The total number of people who have presented for treatment for gender dysphoria in the UK is calculated to be 10,000, with 6,000 having undergone transition.

This is a prevalence of 20 per 100,000 people aged 16 plus.

The number of new people presenting for treatment each year is 1,500. This is an incidence of 3.0 per 100,000 people aged 16 plus.

The number of new people presenting for treatment each year is growing at 15% compound. This would double the number every 5 years.

The authors of the report suggest this is due to more social acceptance and the growth of ‘buddy’ support.

This increase is similar to the increase in Europe.

Trans people present for treatment at any age but the median age in the UK is 42.

The current split of those in male-to-female v. female-to-male is about 4:1. If this is accurate, the 10,000 who have presented for treatment could rise to 50,000.

Evidence from Europe and some from the UK suggests the female-to-male number could increase until it matches the mtf number. If this is the case, the total presenting for treatment could rise to 90,000.

The number of children and adolescents presenting for treatment each year is 84. This is also doubling every 5 years. The authors suggest that if youth treatment was brought into line with best international practice, the rate would increase faster, since a number of people in this category are known to seek treatment abroad.

A total of 1,200 people actually transition each year. Based on rates of those currently seeking surgery, this equates to a need for 480 genital and gonadal operations for mtf trans people and 240 chest reconstructions for ftm trans people.

It was found that the geographic distribution of those presenting for treatment does not show any clear correlation with population density, but that geographic distribution is very uneven within the UK. Areas such as the West Midlands and Merseyside have high population densities but low incidence. The authors speculate that this may be due to cultural factors and whether or not support networks are available.

GIRES report in full.