In a global survey conducted in 2023, ***** percent of respondents from 30 countries identified themselves as transgender, non-binary/non-conforming/gender-fluid, or in another way. In Switzerland, around *** percent of the respondents stated to identify themselves with one of the listed genders.

Worldwide, Brazil reported the highest number of transgender people murdered in 2023, reaching 100 victims. Most of the murders that year were reported in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is assumed that only a minority of the cases actually are reported, and the actual number is estimated to be significantly higher.

This statistics shows the results of a survey about the global attitude towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or intersex (LGBTI) community in 2016. When asked whether they personally knew someone who did not identify with the sex they were assigned at birth or someone who identified themselves as transgender, more than 55 percent of Jamaican respondents stated that they did not personally know anyone like that.

Most transgender people realize that the gender they were assigned at birth did not match their own gender identity in their childhood and adolescence in all European countries. On average, 73 percent realized before the age of 18, with this being highest in Luxembourg, at 90 percent, and lowest in Hungary, at 62 percent.

A research project developed by the Trans Murder Monitoring (TMM) revealed that at least 235 trans or gender-diverse people were murdered in Latin America from October 2022 to September 2023. The highest number of victims was reported in Brazil, with 100 homicides. Mexico was the second deadliest country for trans people in Latin America, having registered 52 murders in the same period.

Population size estimates of transgender women and transgender men in Bhutan, 2020.

Gender and sexual identities of transgender women and men, Bhutan, 2020.

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Gender Reassignment Surgery Market Size 2025-2029

The gender reassignment surgery market size is forecast to increase by USD 374.2 million, at a CAGR of 11.2% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing number of individuals opting for sex change procedures worldwide. This trend is driven by the growing acceptance and recognition of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, leading to a surge in demand for medical solutions to help them align their physical identity with their gender identity. Advancements in medical technology have also played a crucial role in the market's expansion, enabling surgeons to perform these procedures more safely and effectively than ever before. However, the high cost of gender reassignment surgeries remains a significant challenge for many individuals seeking these procedures. Despite this obstacle, the market's potential for growth is substantial, particularly as societal attitudes towards gender identity continue to evolve and more individuals feel empowered to seek out the medical solutions they need to live authentically. Companies operating in this market can capitalize on this trend by offering affordable financing options, partnering with insurance providers, and investing in research and development to further advance surgical techniques and reduce costs.

What will be the Size of the Gender Reassignment Surgery Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
Request Free SampleThe market continues to evolve, driven by advancements in medical technology, growing societal acceptance, and increasing demand for comprehensive care. Surgical implants, preoperative counseling, and surgical techniques are constantly improving to enhance patient satisfaction and outcomes. Body image, a significant factor in the decision-making process, is addressed through various means, including social support groups and mental health services. Gender identity, a complex construct, is being explored through clinical trials and psychological counseling, aiming to provide more personalized and effective care. Hormone therapy, a crucial aspect of gender affirmation, is subject to ongoing research and refinement. Healthcare costs, a barrier for many, are being addressed through insurance coverage and medical tourism. Infection control, surgical risks, and pain management are essential components of quality care, with data analysis and evidence-based practices guiding best practices. Facial feminization and breast augmentation are popular procedures, but genital reconstruction and voice therapy are also gaining attention. Ethical considerations, patient advocacy, and long-term effects are crucial areas of focus. Sexual health, scar management, fertility preservation, and postoperative support are essential aspects of holistic care. Professional guidelines and post-operative care ensure consistent quality, while follow-up appointments and community resources provide ongoing support. Psychosocial assessment and informed consent forms are integral parts of the preoperative process. Medical imaging and patient education are essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. The market is characterized by continuous dynamism, with ongoing unfolding of market activities and evolving patterns. Adverse events, healthcare access, and patient advocacy are ongoing concerns, requiring constant attention and innovation. The ultimate goal is to improve patient outcomes, enhance quality of life, and ensure ethical and compassionate care.

How is this Gender Reassignment Surgery Industry segmented?

The gender reassignment surgery industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments. TypeMale to femaleFemale to maleEnd-userHospitalsSpecialty ClinicsAmbulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)Distribution ChannelPublic healthcare systemsPrivate healthcare providersTechnologyMinimally invasive techniquesRobotic-assisted surgeryTraditional open surgeryPatient DemographicsAgeSocioeconomic statusGeographyNorth AmericaUSCanadaEuropeGermanySpainUKAPACIndiaMalaysiaThailandSouth AmericaArgentinaBrazilRest of World (ROW)

By Type Insights

The male to female segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.The market encompasses various procedures aimed at helping individuals with gender dysphoria transition into their identified gender. This process often includes hormone therapy and psychological counseling to ensure readiness and understanding of the implications. Hormone therapy, while not mandatory, helps patients align their physical appearance with their gender identi

Transgender people, often referred to as the Hijras in the Indian subcontinent, are an officially recognized third gender in the country and consider themselves neither male nor female. As per the latest census in 2011, India recorded over 487 thousand people who identified as the third gender, most of whom came from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

Socioeconomics of Hijras 

Hijras are associated by several terms, depending on culture and linguistics. In various Indian languages, Hijras are called Napunsakudu (Telugu), Thiru Nangai (Tamil), Khwaja Sara (Urdu), Khusra (Punjabi) and Mangalamukhi (Kannada) among others. The third gender is inherent to Indian mythology.

Socio-economically, Hijras live in well-defined communities, led by a Guru or teacher. They consist of generations of the third gender who were rejected by or fled from their birth-families. Apart from sex-work, performing at auspicious social gatherings or plain extortion was how most survived. This was due to the lack of education and employment due to their low status in their society’s hierarchy. This also meant that they underwent brutal violence with little or no opportunity for justice.

 Indian law and the third gender  

When the country’s Supreme Court re-criminalized homosexuality in 2013, there was a sharp increase in violence against the third gender by the Indian Police Service, far from investigating reports of sexual assault. Later in 2014, with the support of activists and NGOs lobbying for human rights, the same highest court ruled the recognition of the third gender community, equal to the socially and economically backward class. This meant that they now had access to proportional representation in education and jobs.

The EU LGBTIQ Survey was conducted by Agilis SA on behalf of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). This is the 3rd wave of the European survey among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, non-binary and other gender non-conforming people. In the survey period June 2023 to August 2023, people who consider themselves LGBTIQ, are at least 15 years old and live in the European Union, Albania, Serbia or North Macedonia were asked in online interviews (CAWI) about their views and experiences of discrimination, violence and harassment in various areas of life such as employment, education, healthcare, housing and other services. Respondents were selected through a self-selective sample recruited through advertising campaigns in traditional media, mainstream and LGBTIQ-specific social media channels and dating apps.
1. Screening: Age; self-description today (e.g. as a trans woman/ girl, trans man/ boy, etc.); trans person; current gender identity; sex assigned at birth; sexual orientation; queer; intersexual; country of living; duration of residence in the country; country of citizenship (citizen, non-citizen, but EU 27-citizen, non-Eu-citizen); country of birth; resident country is the same as country of citizenship/ as country of birth; part of any of the following, other than LGBTIQ (a minority in terms of skin color, a minority in terms of ethnicity or migrant background, asylum seeker or refugee, a religious minority, a person with a disability, other minority group).

1. Openness and safe environment: age when realized for the first time being LGBTIQ; age when first told somebody being LGBTIQ; respondent avoids holding hands in public with a same-sex partner for fear of being assaulted, threatened or harassed; avoiding certain places or locations for fear of being assaulted, threatened or harassed because of being LGBTIQ; where avoiding being open as LGBTIQ for fear of being assaulted, threatened or harassed by others (e.g. at home, around the family, at school, workplace, etc.); openness about being LGBTIQ to how many of the following people (family members, friends, neighbors, work colleagues, schoolmates/ University co-students, immediate superior/ head of department, customers, clients, etc. at work, medical staff, healthcare providers).

2. Trans-respondents: intervention to change the body so it better matches own gender identity; age at first intervention (nominal, age groups); reasons why the respondent did not have any kind of invention to change the body; went abroad or considered going abroad for medical treatment to alter physical appearance, including buying hormones over the internet from other countries; change of legal gender; reason for not changing legal gender.

3. Intersex-respondents: type of variation of sex characteristics; how first realized a variation of sex characteristics; variation of sex characteristics was determined by medical professionals; time when variation of sex characteristics was determined by medical professionals; age at first determination (age groups); any medical treatment or intervention to modify sex characteristics; kind of treatments related to being intersex (surgery, hormonal treatment, other treatment); age when the first medical treatment or intervention to modify sex characteristics took place; first medical treatment or intervention related to being intersex; person who gave consent before the first medical treatment or intervention to modify the sex characteristics; respondent or his parents were explained in detail what the medical treatment involves and possible positive or negative consequences; actively seeked to undergo the first medical treatment or intervention; ever faced any obstacles registering the civil status or gender in public documents; kind of obstacles; support received as an intersex person by whom.

4. Trends and responses to homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and intersexphobia: situation during the last 12 months when personally felt discriminated against because of being LGBTIQ (when looking for a job, at work, when looking for a house or apartment to rent or buy, by healthcare or social services personnel, by school/ university personnel, at a café, restaurant, bar or nightclub, at a shop, in contact with administrative offices or public services, when showing ID or any official document that identifies sex); personally felt discriminated against for any other reason besides being LGBTIQ during the last 12 months (ethnic origin or immigrant background, sex (male/ female), skin colour, age; too young, too old, religion or belief, disability, other); situation in which the discrimination took place (when looking for a job, at work, when looking for a house or apartment to rent or buy, by healthcare or social services personnel, at school/ university, at a café, restaurant, bar or nightclub, at a shop or any other private business, in contact with administrative offices or public services, when...

No country in Europe had a majority of transgender people saying that they had undergone gender affirming or gender reassignment surgery in 2019, with the Netherlands having the greatest share of any country, at 48 percent. On average only a quarter of trans people in the EU had undergone surgery to alter their appearance in line with their gender identity.

As of April 2024, 55 percent of the LGBT population lived in the 50 states and the District of Columbia where private health insurance service providers weren't allowed to deny coverage for transgender-related health care services, such as sex reassignment surgery. However, only 40 percent lived in states where health insurance protections included sexual orientation and gender identity.

LGBT Americans The share of Americans self-identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender has grown in recent years. This suggests that insurance protections which cover LGBT-related health care services will also continue to grow in importance. The prevalence of younger Americans self-identifying as LGBT when compared with older generations confirms this. Millennials and Gen Xers are much more likely to personally identify as LGBT than previous generations were. Growing acceptance and tolerance in wider society means that more people are willing to be open about their gender identity and sexual orientation. For instance, support for same-sex marriage in the U.S. underwent a huge shift over the past two decades with the majority of Americans being in favor of it since 2011.

Malta was rated the safest travel destination for members of the LGBT community, according to a 2023 ranking. With 13 points, the European country outperformed Canada and Switzerland - the following safest countries in the list. Out of the 12 best-performing countries that year, eight are located in Europe.

LGBT rights in Canada

Back in 2005, Canada was the fourth country worldwide to legalize same-sex marriage. The North American nation is in the vanguard of LGBT rights and has passed multiple laws assuring equality for this group, such as allowing adoption by same-sex couples, protecting transgender rights, and banning conversion therapy. Meanwhile, its land neighbor, the United States, had the share of the population that identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender increased steadily between 2012 and 2021.

Acceptance around the globe

According to a survey conducted in 2021 in 27 countries, opinions on the rights of same-sex couples varied greatly around the world. Western European and American nations were particularly supportive of marriage or, failing that, some form of legal recognition for homosexual couples.

In 2023, the trans women were the most affected LGBTQ+ group when talking about hate crimes in Argentina. More than 88% of all hate crimes were directed to trans women in the South American country.

According to a global survey conducted in 2021, three in 10 respondents had at least once spoken out against someone who was being prejudiced against LGBT+ people. In addition, some 13 percent attended a public event in support of LGBT+ people, e.g. a Pride march.

From January to August 2019, 351 citizens in Colombia were able to legally change their gender identity in their IDs. A total of 2915 were issued new legal IDs due to a gender change from male to female, whereas other 56 individuals changed their ID's gender from female to male. In 2018, the highest number of legal gender identity changes were registered in the country with close to 700 new IDs issued.