A new study by the Karolinska Institute and Stockholm Region reveals a striking rise in the number of Stockholm residents identifying as bisexual, nearly doubling over the past decade.
The percentage increased from 1.6% in 2010 to 3.1% in 2021, making bisexuals the largest self-identified “sexual minority.” Meanwhile, the proportion of those identifying as gay has remained steady at around 1.7% to 2%.
The surge in bisexual identification is particularly pronounced among younger generations. Among Generation Y (early 1980s to mid-1990s), 7.8% identified as gay or bisexual, while in Generation Z (mid-1990s to early 2010s), that number rose to 12%. Notably, 16% of respondents shifted their sexual identity at least once during the study, often from heterosexual to bisexual.
Critics argue this trend reflects societal and cultural influences rather than organic shifts. They point to increasing promotion of LGBT lifestyles as a driving factor behind the growing numbers of young people exploring non-heterosexual identities. The fluidity of sexual identity over time—evidenced by participants’ shifts—underscores concerns about the broader cultural impact on how individuals define themselves.
