Singapore, January 2, 2025 – The Courage Lab at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, in collaboration with TransgenderSG and Transbefrienders, has released results from the latest study, revealing the profound challenges Singapore’s transgender community faces. Titled "Measuring Public Sentiments and Challenges Faced by Singapore’s Transgender and Gender-Diverse Community," the report sheds light on multiple areas where transgender people are disadvantaged due to social stigma.
Drawing on responses from 394 transgender and 407 cisgender people, this report is the most thorough inquiry to date into the lives of this marginalised group in Singapore. It builds upon other studies of the community, including a 2020 study conducted jointly by TransgenderSG, the Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN) and the University of Waikato Transgender Health Research Lab. The results provide a holistic view of community issues, delving deeper into understanding key figures such as how trans men and trans women were 7.2 times more likely to be fired3, and how half (51.0%) of 107 trans youth seen at IMH were also diagnosed with a mood disorder4. The report details severe impediments faced by transgender residents of Singapore, from high unemployment rates to pervasive discrimination in employment, education and healthcare.
Key Insights from the Study:
Employment Discrimination: Transgender people face significant employment discrimination both during the hiring process and in workplaces. Transgender graduates have an unemployment rate of 11%, almost four times higher than Singapore’s overall rate of 3% over the same period. Over 65% reported negative experiences in the workplace related to their transgender status, such as harassment and verbal abuse.
Healthcare Access: Transgender persons often face stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings that deter them from seeking healthcare. Almost half avoided seeking reproductive and sexual healthcare services in particular.
Legal Gender Recognition: 68% of respondents were unable to change the gender markers on their NRICs as they did not meet the criteria of having had their genitalia “completely” changed from that of one sex to the other. Many did not wish to undergo genital surgery for reasons including cost, medical and safety concerns, and personal choice. Most had instead taken other steps (e.g. social transition, hormone replacement therapy, other gender-affirming surgeries) that enabled them to live as and be consistently perceived as their gender.
Educational Challenges: There is a lack of support for transgender students in schools - 72% reported negative experiences associated with their transgender identity at school or university. 55% reported verbal abuse, 15% physical abuse and 9% sexual abuse while schooling.
Public Support: The report found a high level of support for trans-inclusive statements (>85%), such as supporting better ease of access to the change of legal sex marker, allowing change of name on educational transcripts, and protecting transgender persons against discrimination. However, respondents were mostly from the public who knew a trans person (75%). This indicates that further public education will build understanding and support.
To read the full report, please visit https://transgendersg.com/community-challenges-2025/
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