The next set of key results from the 2021 census covers identity.
That includes national identity, ethnicity and – for the first time – official statistics on sexual orientation.
A reminder of the ground rules:
- The figures will be counted at council level (the 22 unitary authorities). There are probably more interesting results at a local level/ward level, but that’s not for me to do. You can look these up yourselves using the ONS’s interactive map.
- Percentages are rounded to the nearest decimal place and changes are percentage point increases or decreases (unless stated otherwise).
- 2021 will be compared to both the 2011 and 2001 censuses unless comparable figures are unavailable (i.e. things were counted differently in 2021 compared to previous years) or I couldn’t find the data for whatever reason. In some instances, there won’t be a comparison because it’s a new category.
- Any conclusions are educated guesses rather than hard/academically rigorous conclusions.
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What’s the overall national picture?
2021 was the first year questions on sexual orientation were officially asked; there’ve been unofficial/trial questions in the past.
3% of the Welsh population (around 77,000 people) identify as LGB+, though more than double that didn’t answer the question. So I don’t know whether the 3% figure is truly accurate.
There are slightly more gay or lesbian-identifying people (1.5%) than bisexuals (1.2%). The statistically significant remainder is made up of pansexuals (0.2%) and asexuals (0.1%). People who identified as queer or “other” barely registered and – except for Cardiff – were counted in single or double figures in each local authority.
The census data focused on sexual orientation with gender identity collected separately – so a brief note on that.
The Welsh Government says around 10,000 people identify with a gender other than the one they were assigned at birth. That would mean around 0.32% of the Welsh population potentially identify as either trans or non-binary. That would make trans and non-binary people the third largest group in the Welsh LGBTQ+ community after gays/lesbians and bisexuals.
What are the standout findings for individual councils?
Only two local authorities have a proportion of LGB+ residents significantly above the Welsh average: Cardiff (5.3%) and Ceredigion (4.9%).
Swansea (3.4%), Gwynedd (3.3%) and the Vale of Glamorgan (3.1%) are above average to a lesser extent.
Elsewhere in Wales, the LGB+ population is evenly spread, with most local authorities having a proportion of between 2.3-2.7% – so little difference.
What may be the reasons behind the changes (if applicable)?
There may be a correlation between having a university in your local authority and a higher proportion of LGB+ identifying people – which might explain why figures in Ceredigion and Gwynedd are proportionally higher than somewhere like Powys or Pembrokeshire.
A university would bring with it a large number of young people figuring out their own sexual identity, perhaps for the first time, while most universities will have support groups or social clubs for the LGBTQ+ community.
Of course, some parts of Wales have a large settled/older LGBTQ+ community such as Cardiff and Swansea.
Are there any public policy implications?
If anything, it points out how successful the LGBTQ+ community has been in Welsh public life compared to their share of the population. Far from being under-represented, if anything they’re punching above their weight.
I would be cautious about the figures given the proportion of people who didn’t give an answer and the reasons behind that. There’s a chance the LGBTQ+ population could be a bit higher than 3%.
It would also be interesting to see an age breakdown and whether greater openness around sexuality and gender identity reflects in higher LGBTQ+ identification amongst younger generations.
Given their relatively small proportion of the total population, the LGBTQ+ community are more vulnerable to being thrown under a bus. Given the community’s small size, I don’t think anything will be won or lost on this re. independence. It’s just about treating people with respect and common decency – but you need to factor in straight allies too.
