Worldwide LGBTQIA+ Dollar Index
Discover all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and all groups with non-traditional gender and sexual identities, collectively known as the LGBTQIA+ community, and how they contribute financially to economies worldwide. All ages and groups across the community contribute in some way, from full-time employment to retirement incomes, discovering the significant purchase power amongst the global community.
- Countries with a high or very high equality status account for 59.4% or 877.0 billion of the LGBTQIA+ Dollar
- Countries with a medium-high or medium-low equality status account for 32.9% or 485.5 billion of the LGBTQIA+ Dollar
- Countries with a low or very low equality status account for just 7.7% or 112.9 billion dollars
- Countries with the death penalty in place account for 2.2% of the LGBTQIA+ Dollar at 32 billion dollars. Countries that have a death penalty and those that allow vigilantes to torture and execute LGBTQIA+ individuals account for 0.3% of 4.5 billion dollars
- The Americas holds the most significant proportion of the LGBTQIA+ Dollar at 601.5 billion dollars or 40.8%, followed by Asia at 462.4 billion dollars or 31.3% and Europe at 332.2 billion or 22.5%
- Oceania has the lowest proportion of the LGBTQIA+ Dollar at 28.1 billion dollars or 1.9%, followed by Africa at 51.2 billion dollars or 3.5%
- Countries with a high or very high equality status account for 59.4% or 877.0 billion of the LGBTQIA+ Dollar
- Countries with a medium-high or medium-low equality status account for 32.9% or 485.5 billion of the LGBTQIA+ Dollar
- Countries with a low or very low equality status account for 7.7% or 112.9 billion of the LGBTQIA+ Dollar
- Countries with the death penalty in place account for 2.2% of the LGBTQIA+ Dollar at 32 billion dollars. Countries that have a death penalty and those that allow vigilantes to torture and execute LGBTQIA+ individuals account for 0.3% of 4.5 billion dollars
- Countries that still classify same-sex relationships as illegal account for 7.6% of the total LGBTQIA+ dollars at 112 billion
- Countries that still classify same-sex relationships as illegal but do not enforce sentences account for 0.3% or 3.8 billion dollars
Want to learn more about how the LGBTQIA+ Dollar Index was calculated? Our how guide provides explanations, scoring and all calculations
  Click on a specific country within the map to find out the LGBTQIA+ Dollar
EXCEPTIONAL AND DIVERSE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY
As the saying goes, money makes the world go around, so like with all ethnic groups, nationalities and communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals contribute to their local country and the global economy. The concept and size of the LGBTQIA+ spend have been around for many years and are often referred to as the Pink Pound or Gay Dollar. The global Pink Pound is significant and combined, in 2022, would be ranked 14 out of 190 counties, ahead of countries such as Mexico ($1.46 trillion) and Spain ($1.42 trillion).
Whether in work, retirement, or further education, LGBTQIA+ individuals of all ages contribute financially. From Paying their rent, buying food and clothing, to an annual vacation, all these transactions support a country and the world economy. The more money an individual or group has, the higher the purchase or spending power. The greater the spending power, the more influence that person or group has, especially how they are treated.
Even though there are many professionals in the LGBTQIA+ community, there are disturbing statistics concerning their treatment. It is estimated that over 40% of all homeless young adults and minors identify as LGBTQIA+, either thrown out of their homes or run away because of how they identify. With many youths homeless, some struggle to receive a basic education, affecting the rest of their lives. In some countries, transgender individuals struggle to find work due to society’s lack of acceptance of their identity, forcing some into sex work or low paid employment.
The LGBTQIA+ dollar index is based on U.S Dollars ($). It is compiled using the global population of the community and the Household Consumption Expenditure (HCE) element of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for each country worldwide. The HCE is then applied to the population estimates within the LGTBQIA+ Population Index to estimate the average spending per person by country, region, and continent. To understand how the LGBTQIA+ dollar index was created, click here to view the how it was calculated page
DISCOVER HOW WELL THE COMMUNITY ARE TREATED..
Why is the LGBTQIA+ community not taken more seriously?
The global LGBTQIA+ community is sizeable and has serious spending power; however, many were forced to hide and suppress their authentic selves through the centuries of persecution and stigmatism. Over the past 40 years, many countries worldwide have given community members equal rights and status; however, many within the community still live in hostile environments. Countries improving the legal status and protection for the community enable many to be more visible and vocal within their country and societies. However, there is still resistance and lack of acceptance among certain groups. The community’s focus is often on equal treatment and getting the same rights and benefits as heterosexual people living within that country. However, LGBTQIA+ individuals contribute to their societies, pay taxes, run businesses, and are active members of their communities and societies. Ultimately, LGBTQIA+ people should be taken more seriously
Why do some countries have more people but less spending power?
Spending power relates to how much individuals earn (average national income) and how much they will typically spend on food, housing, education and healthcare. The higher the national income and the lower the expenses, the more individuals have disposable income or income to save or spend on non-essential purchases. Wealthier nations will typically have a higher average income. Individuals living in those countries will have more disposable income or access to credit facilities to buy more. So, spending power is linked to a nation’s wealth and how much money individuals can spend on everyday expenses, savings, and non-essential items
Is the LGBTQIA+ Dollar an exact amount?
NO – the LGBTQIA+ dollar is calculated using population estimates against the national income and expenses. With no official worldwide LGBTQIA+ population census, nearly all calculations are from research or small sample sizes within a given country or region. The national income and expenses are reported by countries each year, so they are actual rather than estimations; however, the proportion or amount explicitly assigned to the LGBTQIA+ community is based on the estimated population size
LGBTQIA+ COUNTRY & REGION GUIDES
Learn more about the worldwide LGBTQIA+ dollar or spend by country name (in alphabetical order). If you want to learn more about any given country, please click on the flag, or the country name, which will open the required content in a new window
