In 2023, a Gallup survey revealed that 45% of people worldwide viewed their city or area as a "good place" for gay or lesbian individuals to live, while 44% felt it was "not a good place." This marks a decline from 2020-2022 levels, which were around 50%, but remains significantly higher than the 21% recorded in 2006.
Nordic countries such as Norway (92%), Iceland (90%), Sweden (89%), and Denmark (86%) are among the most accepting, along with other European nations like Spain (89%), the Netherlands (88%), and Malta (87%). Australia also ranks high at 85%. Nepal (87%) stands out as the most accepting non-Western country following its recognition of same-sex marriage in 2023.
Conversely, African and Middle Eastern countries show the lowest levels of acceptance. Countries like Senegal (1%), Gambia (3%), Malawi (4%), Zambia (5%), and Lebanon (5%) rank at the bottom, with consensual same-sex acts remaining illegal in several of these nations.
Interestingly, Mozambique has become one of the most gay-friendly countries in Africa, with 49% viewing their area positively, rising from 36% in 2022. This is a significant increase from 8% in 2006, following the decriminalization of gay and lesbian relations in 2015.
Countries such as Belgium (84%), Laos (54%), Greece (51%), Cyprus (49%), the Dominican Republic (44%), and Japan (42%) have also seen increases in acceptance. However, nations like India (43%), China (41%), Bangladesh (60%), South Africa (54%), Canada (83%), and Italy (68%) recorded decreases in perceptions of acceptance.
The survey highlights the variability in acceptance of gay and lesbian people across the globe, influenced by cultural, social, and political factors.