Global Divide on LGBTQ+ Acceptance Persists

By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Editor | JRL CHARTS LGBT Politics

LONDON, UK — (June 12, 2025) — A powerful new Gallup global survey released during Pride Month reveals an ongoing divide in how LGBTQ+ people—specifically gay and lesbian individuals—are perceived around the world. The data, collected from over 120 countries, shows that just 39% of respondents believe their city or community is a good place for gay and lesbian people to live, compared to 45% who say the opposite.

Gallup chart comparing LGBTQ+ acceptance in countries where same-sex relationships are legal vs illegal (2007–2024).

LGBTQ+ acceptance rises in countries with legalized same-sex relationships, while remaining stagnant where such relationships are criminalized.

While that percentage is still low, it marks a notable increase from 2007, when only 23% of participants viewed their communities as LGBTQ+-friendly. Over the past two decades, the global conversation around LGBTQ+ rights has grown, but the survey highlights how deeply attitudes differ depending on regional laws, cultural norms, and religious influence.

Gallup’s methodology changed slightly in 2024, shifting away from population-weighted averages due to the inability to conduct polling in countries such as China, Pakistan, Russia, and Ethiopia—nations with strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws or social taboos. This year’s 39% “positive perception” rating is a median, offering a more balanced snapshot, though the population-weighted average would sit closer to 47%.

Legal Recognition Drives Positive Change

Gallup’s data illustrates a clear link between legal recognition and societal acceptance. In countries where same-sex relationships are legal, the median percentage of people who say their area is a good place for LGBTQ+ individuals has increased to 46%—up from 32% in 2007. But in countries where same-sex relationships remain criminalized, the number remains frozen at a troubling 11%.

This data echoes a long-standing reality: legal reforms not only protect LGBTQ+ people but also help shift public perception. Still, progress is painfully slow in some regions, where outdated laws and deeply entrenched stigmas continue to isolate queer citizens.

Global Hotspots: Where LGBTQ+ People Feel Safe—and Where They Don’t

Gallup bar graph showing countries with lowest LGBTQ+ acceptance, contrasted with better perceptions for immigrants and ethnic minorities.

Gallup finds LGBTQ+ individuals face disproportionate exclusion even in countries welcoming to other minority groups.

Unsurprisingly, Nordic countries continue to top the charts. Iceland (93%), Sweden (90%), Norway (89%), and Finland (85%) dominate as the most LGBTQ+-inclusive regions, joined by Australia and New Zealand.

Conversely, hostility remains high in parts of Africa and the post-Soviet sphere. Countries like Gambia (2%), Senegal (2%), Malawi (3%), and Ghana (6%) report alarmingly low levels of LGBTQ+ friendliness. In the Caucasus and Central Asia, the picture is just as bleak: Armenia (3%), Azerbaijan (4%), and Kyrgyzstan (6%) remain hostile environments for queer communities.

Bottom Line

The 2024 Gallup data provides sobering evidence that while legal protections are expanding, true acceptance remains elusive in many regions. This Pride Month, the global LGBTQ+ community continues to make gains—but the fight for equal dignity, safety, and visibility is far from over.

For more information on this study, visit Gallup Here

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