Jun 10, 2022 - Health

Report: Almost half of trans people in U.S. are teens and young adults

Julia Shapero

Trans pride flags flutter in the wind at a gathering to celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2017 at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

About 1.6 million people in the U.S. are transgender, and almost half of them are teenagers and young adults, according to a new report based on government health surveys.

Driving the news: About 43% of the U.S. transgender population is between the ages of 13 and 24, per a June report released by the UCLA Williams Institute.

The report found the number of transgender people 13 to 25 years old nearly doubled since a similar, previous study that used different methodology.

That report, published in 2017 by the same researchers, showed that 23% of the transgender population was within the 13 to 25 years old range.

By the numbers: While the report estimates that about 0.6% of the U.S. population over 13 is transgender, this percentage is higher among younger people.

Among people 13 to 17 years old, 1.4% identify as transgender. For those 18 to 24 years old, the figure is 1.3%.
Despite making up only about 8% of the U.S. population, 13 to 17 year olds represent about 18% of the transgender population.

The report also found that the percentage — and number — of adults who identify as transgender in the U.S. has remained steady over time.

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Report: Almost half of trans people in U.S. are teens and young adults

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