Intersex People by Country 2024

Accurate data regarding the number of intersex people in any given country is effectively impossible to attain due to a variety of complications. Admitting one's intersexuality comes with a significant stigma, misconceptions about intersexuality abound, and the lack of accurate data recording practices is a constant concern. However, the most damaging confounding factor may be the ongoing disagreement over the fundamental definition of the term intersex.

The impact of this disunity is both immediately evident and far-reaching. For example, the best-known estimate of the prevalence of intersex individuals is 1.7% of the total population, drawn from a 2000 study by a team of researchers that included Brown University sexologist Anne Fausto-Sterling. However, Sterling's study used a very broad definition of intersexuality, which has been criticized by other experts. In a response in the Journal of Sex Research, psychologist Leonard Sax offered a narrower definition of intersexuality, which resulted in an estimated concentration of 0.018% of the population—nearly 100 times less common than Fausto-Sterling's estimate.

United States

According to Anne Fausto-Sterling's widely publicized study, nearly two babies (1.7) out of every 100 are born intersex. Children born intersex do not identify as binary male or female. They may have different or mixed genitalia that puts them outside the binary range for classification. If Fausto-Sterling's estimate is accurate (it is disputed, as previously outlined), the number of intersex births may approach the number of people born with red hair in the United States.

Europe

Compared to other countries and regions, Europe has one of the smallest percentages of the intersex population. With all the countries in Europe, only about 1 out of every 2,000 births are intersex. This statistic means that only 0.05% of the total population can identify as intersex. The low percentage of intersex births may be connected not to genetics, but to reporting: Certain countries within Europe do not allow a non-binary identification at birth.

Australia

Australia is home to a significant intersex population. It is estimated that roughly 1.7 people in every 100 are born with non-binary sexual anatomy. As in many countries, intersex protections and organizations representing the rights of the intersex population are still in the early stages of development.

India

Unfortunately, India lacks an option to identify as intersex. Often referred to as a third sex or the third gender, intersex is not a viable designation in India. It is estimated that intersex births occur with a similar frequency as in other countries (roughly 1.7%). However, recent attempts have been made to recognize intersex babies and give intersex individuals the appropriate rights and protections.

China

China does not use intersex terminology and does not officially track the number of intersex births each year. It is believed that this lack of intersex acknowledgement, combined with China's "one-child" rule, resulted in many intersex babies being identified as male. Unfortunately, babies born with non-binary identification were often mutilated to conform to one gender or another. Human rights groups focusing on intersex identification and protection have begun to form in the country.

Canada

It is estimated that 0.24% to 0.36% of all births in Canada can be identified as intersex.