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15. Thailand -

When you consider the rights of LGBTQ+ folk and how friendly countries are to them, Thailand doesn’t compare very well to most European nations, for example. However, the country is still one of the best in Asia, where around 8% of the population is reportedly queer.

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15. Thailand -

Earlier this year, the Thai government voted to pass a same-sex marriage bill by an overwhelming majority. The country is still set to implement the law, but it will be the second country in Asia to do so.

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14. Turkey -

Turkey has had a rather mixed history when it comes to its LGBTQ+ community. There, around 8% of the population is reportedly queer, which is a staggeringly high number when you consider that there are no rights for LGBTQ+ people except the legality of same-sex relations.

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14. Turkey -

In cities like Istanbul, there is a visible LGBTQ+ community, and events like Istanbul Pride were incredibly prominent every year until they were banned by the government in 2015.

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13. Mexico -

Mexico is the next country featured on the list, where a reported 8% of Mexicans are part of the LGBTQ+ community. It was the 34th country in the world to adopt same-sex marriage.

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13. Mexico -

Mexico was one of the first countries to decriminalize same-sex sexual activity in 1871, although the government still persecuted gay individuals using laws against public indecency. Anti-discrimination laws have since been implemented.

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12. Switzerland -

In Switzerland, about 9% of the population is reportedly queer. Swiss people have had a history of disregard when it comes to the rights and policies of LGBTQ+ people, unlike many of their neighboring European countries.

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12. Switzerland -

Switzerland only legalized same-sex marriage in 2022, making it the 32nd country to do so. But despite its delayed history in implementing these laws, Switzerland is one of the safest places in the world for queer people.

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11. Canada -

Before 1969, consensual same-sex sexual activities between adults in Canada were classified as criminal offenses and could result in imprisonment. It's reported that 9% of the population is openly queer, and the country has made significant changes to help the community.

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11. Canada -

Canada was the fourth nation in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, which happened all the way back in 2005. The country has also adopted many anti-discrimination laws that make it a safe haven for queer individuals.

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10. France -

France has a reputation for being one of the friendliest and most inclusive countries for LGBTQ+ people, and often ranks very high in global LGBTQ+ reports. The queer community makes up a reported 9% of the overall population.

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10. France -

Interestingly, France was the first-ever country to decriminalize homosexuality, which was done as early as 1791. It also legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, becoming the 13th country to do so.

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9. Germany -

For many decades since the end of World War II, Germany has stood on the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights and culture, where they have paved the way for advocacy. About 9% of the population is reportedly queer, although this number has been rising steadily.

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9. Germany -

Despite its various advocates, Germany only legalized same-sex marriage in 2017. The country has taken many strides to help the LGBTQ+ community, although laws concerning gender identity/expression are yet to be implemented.

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8. United States -

The United States has had an incredibly tumultuous history when it comes to the queer community. More recently, the transgender community has faced many difficulties with rights and laws, which has caused a decline in the number of queer people who are open. As of 2024, 9% of the population is openly LGBTQ+.

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8. United States -

Many states and cities in the US offer unequivocal protection against discrimination for LGBTQ+ people, especially in the areas of employment and housing. Same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide in 2015, but acceptance still varies widely across the country.

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7. New Zealand -

Over in Oceania, New Zealand ranks seventh on this list, with a reported queer population of 10%. New Zealand's society is generally accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals, and LGBTQ+ issues are increasingly integrated into mainstream political and cultural discussions.

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7. New Zealand -

New Zealand is known for its inclusive and progressive approach to LGBTQ+ rights (perhaps even more so than its neighbor, Australia). Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013, and there are comprehensive anti-discrimination protections in place.

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6. Australia -

A reported 10% of the Australian population is openly queer. Despite the nation’s many advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, Australia’s rural areas are far from safe havens.

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6. Australia -

Even though it is illegal to discriminate against individuals on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, Australia still allows religious exemptions. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2017, but the LGBTQ+ community still faces many hurdles and much hostility.

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5. Colombia -

Arriving in the top five is Colombia, one of only two South American countries featured on this list. Colombia made history in 2016 as being the only country to legalize same-sex marriage that year, and the nation’s number of openly queer individuals has risen to 10%.

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5. Colombia -

Interestingly, Colombia’s progressiveness has been seen for centuries. Transgender individuals have been able to change their gender markers since 1993, and the country has been considered one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly nations in Latin America.

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4. Netherlands -

It is no surprise that the Netherlands is also featured on this list. The nation was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, back in 2001, and it boasts a reported 11% of openly queer individuals amongst its population.

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4. Netherlands -

The Netherlands is renowned for its LGBTQ+ inclusivity. The country’s capital city, Amsterdam, is known to host one of the biggest and most unique Pride celebrations in the world, where the city’s canals are used for the parade.

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3. United Kingdom -

The United Kingdom has recently seen a rapid decline in the acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals. Indeed, the number of openly queer individuals living in the UK has declined to 11%, amidst fear of backlash.

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3. United Kingdom -

The UK has implemented many laws to protect the LGBTQ+ community over the decades. Challenges remain, particularly around trans rights, which have become a contentious issue and have sparked significant public debate.

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2. Spain -

The country with the second-highest population of LGBTQ+ people is the nation of Spain. This is rather unsurprising, considering the Iberian country is one of the most culturally liberal in the world. As a result, a reported 12% of Spaniards are part of the community.

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2. Spain -

Spain was one of the earliest adopters of same-sex marriage, having legalized it in 2005. But that’s not all! The country is renowned for its hosting of one of the biggest Pride parades in the world, which can be seen annually in Madrid.

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1. Brazil -

The country with the largest reported LGBTQ+ population is Brazil. The nation presents a complex picture for LGBTQ+ acceptance, with significant progress alongside ongoing challenges. A reported 14% of the nation’s population is openly queer.

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1. Brazil -

The Brazilian city of São Paulo is renowned for hosting the biggest Pride parade in the world, which is attended every year by an estimated four million people. Despite this inclusivity, Brazil has some of the highest rates of violence against LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender people.

Sources: (Ipsos) (World Population Review) (Statista) (Insider Monkey)

See also: Every country where same-sex marriage is legal

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