Trends in Trans-Identification Among Young People Show Decline

The trend of identifying as transgender among younger generations seems to be slowing down.

Recent surveys from college campuses indicate a significant drop in the number of Gen Z individuals who identify as transgender over the last three years.

Eric Kaufman, a political science professor at the University of Buckingham, undertook an independent analysis of a large-scale survey involving American undergraduate students, which also addressed gender identification.

Gender nonconformity encompasses identities that don’t fit strictly into male or female categories, as shared by the research group.

• man
• woman
• non-binary
• genderqueer or genderfluid
• I don’t know
• prefer not to say

In a survey conducted in 2025 with 68,000 students, just 3.6% of respondents identified as a gender outside of male or female. This contrasts with previous years, where 5.2% identified as such in 2024 and 6.8% in both 2022 and 2023.

Kaufman highlighted that this marks a dramatic reduction—almost halving in just two years. The report also noted a steep decline in nonconforming sexual identities, although those identifying as gay or lesbian remained stable. Meanwhile, the number of straight individuals rose by ten points since 2023.

Additionally, in the academic year 2024-2025, first-year students were less likely to identify as “transgender or queer” compared to fourth-year students, which contrasts with the trend observed in 2022-2023.

This data suggests a potential ongoing decline in gender and sexual nonconformity, according to Kaufman.

Examination of the Decline

Kaufman proposes that better mental health may be influencing this trend. He stated that students experiencing lower anxiety and depression seem less inclined to identify as transgender, queer, or bisexual.

He indicates that the decline in transgender and queer identities could parallel the ebb and flow of trends in fashion, evolving independently from political beliefs or social media influences.

Dr. Mark Siegel, a Senior Medical Analyst, remarked that while the study raises intriguing points, it doesn’t pinpoint the reasons behind this decline. He posed questions regarding whether the change stems from shifts in cultural attitudes, reduced pressure from society, or a natural resolution of gender dysphoria.

Siegel also suggested that there might be a hesitance to declare non-binary identities, potentially indicative of reinvigorated prejudice, warranting further exploration.

Relevant insights from Dr. Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist, noted that the changes might signify a “natural correction.” He believes young people have been taught to attribute labels to every feeling, possibly leading to fewer choosing to identify as non-binary.

Rather than denying their identities, Alpert suggests, young individuals might simply be growing tired of the pressure to label every nuance of their feelings, now recognizing they don’t need to define themselves rigidly to be valid.

This observation resonates in his therapy practice: as clients become more comfortable in their identities, they feel less of a need for strict differentiation.

The analysis continues to draw interest and prompts inquiries into various nuances of identity within younger populations. Fox News Digital has reached out for additional comments regarding these findings.