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The Demography of Sweden’s Transgender Population – Patterns, Changes, and Sociodemographics

Author

Listed:
  • Kolk, Martin

    (Stockholm University Demography Unit (SUDA))

  • Tilley, J. Lucas

    (Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University)

  • von Essen, Emma

    (Department of Sociology, Uppsala University)

  • Moberg, Ylva

    (Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University)

  • Burn, Ian

    (Department of Economics, University of Liverpool)

Abstract

Our study examines the prevalence of gender transitions in Sweden over time and documents the sociodemographic characteristics of people transitioning in different periods. We use national administrative data covering the transgender population from 1973–2020 and analyze two common events in a gender transition: the earliest diagnosis of gender incongruence and the change of legal gender. We have three main findings. First, the measured prevalence of both types of events is relatively low in all periods, although it has increased substantially since the early 2010s. Second, the recent increase in transition prevalence is most pronounced among people in early adulthood; in particular, young transgender men drive an increase in overall transition rates through 2018, followed by moderate declines in 2019 and 2020. Third, transgender men and women have substantially lower socioeconomic outcomes than cisgender men and women, regardless of the age at which they transition or the historical period. They are also considerably less likely to be in a legal union or reside with children. These findings highlight the continued economic and social vulnerability of the transgender population.

Suggested Citation

  • Kolk, Martin & Tilley, J. Lucas & von Essen, Emma & Moberg, Ylva & Burn, Ian, 2023. "The Demography of Sweden’s Transgender Population – Patterns, Changes, and Sociodemographics," Working Paper Series 7/2023, Stockholm University, Swedish Institute for Social Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:sofiwp:2023_007
    DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4427508
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Christopher S. Carpenter & Samuel T. Eppink & Gilbert Gonzales, 2020. "Transgender Status, Gender Identity, and Socioeconomic Outcomes in the United States," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 73(3), pages 573-599, May.
    2. repec:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2016.303578_7 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Meerwijk, E.L. & Sevelius, J.M., 2017. "Transgender population size in the United States: A meta-regression of population-based probability samples," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(2), pages 1-8.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    transgender; demography; prevalence; gender nonconforming; gender incongruence; Sweden; administrative data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination

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