Community Image - 2024 Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Equality Index

38.7 million or 18.1% of the worldwide LGBTQIA+ community live in countries that are classified as high or very high within the equality index


The gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and all groups with non-traditional gender and sexual identities, collectively known as the LGBTQIA+ community, have been around in many forms for thousands of years. The community faced hundreds of years of persecution, targeted campaigns and gruesome convictions when prosecuted. It was not until the late 18th century that the gay movement began to gain momentum, with prominent people advocating for equality and a movement that continues today.


The LGBTQIA+ equality index focuses on the community’s global status, rights, and legal treatment. The index is compiled by reviewing the many rules and laws that directly affect and impact the community, areas such as the same-sex legal status, the right to marry, anti-discrimination laws and other key metrics

Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Equality Index

32.2%
of countries score high or very high

Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Dollar

$1.5 trillion
added to the world economy

Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Population

214.3 million
people living within communities across the globe

Worldwide Same-Sex Unions or Marriages

32.6%
76 countries recognise same-sex unions or marriages

Worldwide Legal Gender Recognition

42.1%
98 countries legally recognise gender identities

Worldwide Gay Conversion Therapy

9.4%

or 22 countries have laws banning Gay Conversion Therapy
Discover the equality status of any country…
Gayther Dropdown – 2024 Equality Index (500px)

  2024 SUMMARY

Gayther Equality Index - 2024 Statistics
KEY FACTS
  • 27.9% or an estimated 59.8 million LGBTQIA+ individuals live in countries in which it is illegal to carry out same-sex related acts
  • 90 countries have extensive anti-discrimination laws in place
  • 61 countries allow LGBTQIA+ couples to adopt, and 23 countries offer limited adoption rights such as step-child adoption or LGBTQIA+ individual adoption
  • 98 countries have laws concerning gender identity/expression
  • 22 countries have nationwide bans in place concerning Gay Conversion Therapy

LGBTQIA+ EQUALITY OVERVIEW

  • In 2024, in terms of the worldwide equality index:
    • 18.1% of all countries are classified as high or very high
    • 59% of all countries are classified as medium-high or medium-low
    • 22.9% of all countries are classified as low or very low
    • 27.9% or an estimated 59.8 million LGBTQIA+ individuals live in countries in which it is illegal to carry out same-sex related acts
    • 42.1% or 98 countries have laws concerning gender identity/expression
  • For members of the LGBTQIA+ community living in countries in which same-sex related activities are illegal if prosecuted:
    • 18 countries still criminalise same-sex activities; however, they do not enforce prosecutions
    • 7 countries issue penalties of up to 2 years imprisonment
    • 27 countries issue penalties of 2 years to life imprisonment
    • 5 countries have vigilante groups administering torture, beatings and executions
    • 10 countries issue death penalties
  • In terms of anti-discrimination laws:
    • 90 countries have extensive laws in place
    • 40 countries have some laws in place
    • 103 countries have no laws in place
  • In terms of other key factors affecting the LGBTQIA+ community:
    • 61 countries allow LGBTQIA+ couples to adopt, and 23 countries offer limited adoption rights such as step-child adoption or LGBTQIA+ individual adoption
    • 119 countries allow LGBTQIA+ individuals to serve in the military
    • 22 countries have nationwide bans in place concerning Gay Conversion Therapy
    • 3 countries have legalised Gay Conversion Therapy, making it state-approved

Developments from the previous year

  • The Cook Islands, Dominica and Mauritius decriminalised homosexuality, which was all signed into law. Iraq’s parliament voted to criminalise same-sex relationships, and Ghana introduced laws in which anyone seen as promoting or advocating LGBTQIA+ rights could be prosecuted and face up to five years in prison. Russia’s supreme court, based on a motion from the Ministry of Justice, changed the status of the country’s LGBTQIA+ community by reclassifying the community and individuals as being members of an extremist organisation, including banning any activities across the country. Since the introduction, gay bars and clubs have been raided, and community members have been arrested.
  • Latvia passed a law recognising the forming of civil unions for same-sex couples, and same-sex marriages became legal in Estonia, the Czech Republic, Nepal, Greece, Thailand, and Liechtenstein. From December 2023, the Church of England and the Catholic Church began blessing the union of same-sex couples.
  • Belgium, the Republic of Cyprus, Iceland, Portugal, Norway and Spain all passed laws banning gay conversion therapy. Uganda, as part of Section 16 of the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023, the courts have been given powers to force LGBTQIA+ individuals to undergo gay conversion therapy, making it the third country, including Malaysia and Iran, to state-enforce the treatment.
  • Taiwan passed a bill giving same-sex couples full adoption rights. Liechtenstein and Estonia now permit same-sex couples to carry out joint adoptions, and the Czech Republic permits same-sex couples to carry out stepchild adoptions. LGBTQIA+ individuals who have formed Free unions in Bolivia are now allowed to adopt.
  • Bulgaria and Brazil amended their criminal codes to impose stricter penalties for crimes committed against a person based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • Andorra, Finland, and Hong Kong have changed their laws to allow transgender individuals to legally change their gender without the need for surgery or sterilisation. Germany, New Zealand, and Spain have introduced bills that enable individuals to change their gender based on self-determination. Sweden has lowered the legal age for individuals to change gender from 18 to 16. In contrast, Russia reversed progressive laws and has now made it illegal for transgender individuals to change their gender.
  • /ul>
Want to learn more about how the LGBTQIA+ Equality Index was calculated? Our how guide provides explanations and in-depth scoring for each of the sections

  INTERACTIVE MAP

click here  Click on a specific country within the map to find out the equality score

  ABOUT LGBTQIA+ WORLDWIDE EQUALITY

Gayther Community - About Equality Index (2)
The gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, Intersex, Ally and all groups with non-traditional gender and sexual identities, collectively known as the LGBTQIA+ community, have been around in many forms for thousands of years and throughout the centuries. The community faced hundreds of years of persecution, targeted campaigns and gruesome convictions when prosecuted. It was not until the late 18th century that the gay movement began to gain momentum, with prominent people advocating for equality and a movement that continues today. From emperors to actors, the community has a long and rich history. Often a tale of people facing adversity, just for accepting who they are, even when the risk to their personal safety is so high. Many within the community face a challenge every day, in every country, region, and continent worldwide.

The LGBTQIA+ equality index focuses on the community’s global status, rights, and legal treatment. The index is compiled by reviewing the many rules and laws that directly affect and impact the community, including same-sex legal status, the right to marry, anti-discrimination laws and other key metrics. To understand all of the areas and how they contribute to the overall score, click here to view the how it was calculated page

Through the work of advocates and pioneers, many members of the LGTBQIA+ community now have the rights and freedoms to live their authentic lives or selves without fear of persecution; however, there are still inequalities and injustices occurring all over the world. Many brave individuals and groups work within those countries to change the laws and opinions, so hopefully, everyone will have the freedom and protection under the law one day.

Simply put, the higher a country scores, the lower the equality status of that country on the index. The lower the status, the worse they treat members of the LGBTQIA+ community. IMPORTANT: If you feel your life is in danger or fear persecution, visit the non-profit organisations and support groups’ pages. There are many specialist charities and groups available worldwide that can help. A link to support groups can be found in the footer of every page on the Gayther service
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TAKING PRIDE IN YOU

Acceptance and coming to terms with a part of what makes you can be challenging for many people. The Gayther pride in series is about celebrating all things relating to sexualities, gender identities and special groups. Showcasing the exceptional people, interesting facts and ways to connect with those unique communities, all designed to help and promote pride in LGBTQIA+ identities

  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Gayther Equality Index - Safe to Visit
Is it safe to visit a country with a low equality status?
It depends – visiting a country and living within a country are two very different things. A country with an equality status of medium to very low will typically not be treating members of the LGBTQIA+ community living in that country with the same rights and protection within the law as those heterosexual people residing within that country. If you are visiting, often by being discrete for the duration of your stay, you will likely visit without any incident; however, there is still a risk, and you should carry out independent research before you travel
Gayther Equality Index - Death Penalty
Why do some countries still have the death penalty in place?
In 2024, ten countries in force the death penalty; those countries are Afghanistan, Brunei Darussalam, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Uganda, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A further five countries allow groups of individuals to attack, torture, and even murder LGBTQIA+ people living in those countries. Countries that do not have laws or police enforcement stopping vigilantes are Algeria, Cameroon, Eritrea, Libya and Tanzania. All of the countries listed have elements within their societies of orthodox or traditional religious beliefs. With the majority within those countries holding strong beliefs, the governments and vigilantes target the LGBTQIA+ community, often distracting their societies from what is going on, typically corrupt governments, crippling debt, social inequality or any one of the problems these countries face
Gayther Equality Index - Equality Mean
What does equality mean?

Equality means equal rights and treatment, which means not treating someone differently because of their gender or sexuality. Equality represents a belief that everyone within any given country should have the same rights and privileges enjoyed and given to the majority of people living in that country. In the example of sexuality, the majority would be individuals who identify as heterosexual. Equality would mean for the LGBTQIA+ community that people should be able to live without fear of persecution, love whomever they love, without condemnation and have the same access to education, healthcare, marry or form civil partnerships, and create loving family units

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DISCOVER WHICH COUNTRIES LEGALLY RECOGNISE GENDER IDENTITIES...

Gender and body dysmorphia affects many people each year. Many will feel trapped in the wrong body and look to transform their outer appearance to reflect their inner self. For those going through their transition, it is often a challenge and lengthy process. Discover how each country around the world legally acknowledges and treats gender identities

  USEFUL PHRASES

Common phrases and terms in over 80 languages

Please select a country from the drop-down list to discover common phrases relating to equality