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Legal recognition of a third gender

What this indicator measures

Indicates whether national law recognizes a gender marker other than "male" or "female" on official documents.

How to read this?

"Legally recognized" means that a third gender option exists in national law.

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194countries with data
2025data year(s)

In brief

Legal recognition of a third gender: 194 countries and territories covered. Breakdown: Legally recognized : 19 ; Not recognized : 174 ; Varies by region : 1.

Why this indicator matters

Some people do not identify as either male or female. This indicator compares the countries that provide for another gender marker on official documents.

What makes this indicator vary

Laws depend on cultural traditions, court decisions, the evolution of debates on gender identity and recommendations from international bodies. They develop at very different paces.

Reading precautions

The indicator does not say how the marker is obtained (conditions, procedure) or whether it is easy to use in practice. It covers national law. Recent reforms may not yet appear in the sources.

Legal recognition of a third gender

Legally recognized (19)

Not recognized (174)

Varies by region (1)

Frequently asked questions

Where does the "Legal recognition of a third gender" data come from?

It comes from Velasco, LGBTI National Policy Dataset (via Our World in Data). Site last updated: November 8, 2026. Each country is shown with the year of its most recent value.

What does recognized third gender mean?

National law allows a marker other than "male" or "female" to be entered on official documents, such as identity papers or civil status records.

Does this concern only non-binary people?

Not necessarily. Depending on the country, this option may be aimed at non-binary people, intersex people or other situations. The indicator does not detail who is covered.

Source and update

Source : Velasco, LGBTI National Policy Dataset (via Our World in Data). Site last updated: November 8, 2026.

Indicators in the same category : LGBTQ+ rights