Non-binary people in Scotland: an analysis of Scotland’s Census 2022
This report uses the new availability of Scotland's Census 2022 data to analyse the characteristics and outcomes associated with non-binary people, to fill evidence gaps and create a better understanding of Scotland’s diverse population.
Key Points
This report draws comparisons between the non-binary population aged 16 and above and the rest of Scotland aged 16 and above (excluding non-binary people) using data from Scotland’s Census 2022.
In 2022, 9,033 people in Scotland (0.17% of Scotland’s population) identified as non-binary. In Scotland’s Census 2022, non-binary people are counted as a subcategory of the trans population and almost half of the total reported trans population identified as non-binary (45.2%). The non-binary population had a young age profile where about half (52.6%) were aged 16 to 24. This is likely to influence other characteristics linked to non-binary people.
Non-binary people, compared to the rest of Scotland aged 16 and above, were more likely to:
- report having a minority ethnic background (25.6% compared to 12.2%);
- report that they did not belong to any religion (70.9% compared to 48.9%)
- identify as gay or lesbian, bisexual, or other sexual orientation (88.2% compared to 3.9%);
- hold a degree level qualification or above (39.0% compared to 32.5%);
- report a health problem or disability that limited their day to day activities a little (30.5% compared to 14.9%) or a lot (15.9% compared to 12.3%);
- report a mental health condition (55.9% compared to 13.0%);
Additionally, looking at younger ages only, non-binary people compared to the rest of Scotland aged 16 to 34 were:
- roughly three times more likely to report a health problem or disability that limited their day to day activities a lot or a little, than the rest of Scotland aged 16 to 34 (45.7% compared to 14.2%)
- more likely to report being a full-time student (47.4% compared to 27.9%);
- more likely to report being unemployed and available for work the week before they responded to the Census (10.2% compared to 5.7%);
- more likely to report being economically inactive due to long-term sickness or disability (6.6% compared to 3.0%);
- more likely to provide unpaid care at a younger age (70.5% of all non-binary who provided unpaid care were aged 16 to 34, compared to 16.3% of the rest of Scotland in the same age group, who provided unpaid care).