Balancing inclusivity and practicality: Should the South African census and social surveys include measures beyond the gender binary?

Censuses and social surveys play a crucial role in helping us understand populations and inform policy. Yet the demographic questions used in these instruments have often fallen short of capturing the full diversity of society, particularly the experiences and identities of sexual and gender minorities, because they rely on binary male/female or man/woman categories, which limit the visibility of people whose identities fall outside these classifications. With the recognition of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities as fundamental human rights in South Africa, a critical question emerges: How are these rights acknowledged and represented in the quantitative data that shape our understanding of society?

This Occasional Paper aims to prompt critical thinking and inspire a more inclusive way of collecting data related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics (SOGISC). It draws on discussions from a seminar series on ‘queering social survey research’ hosted by the GCRO in collaboration with the Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G) and Social Impact Insights Africa (SIIA) from 6 October to 17 November 2022. The discussions suggest the significant value of including SOGISC questions in the South African national census and various social surveys to make aspects of queer experiences visible in policy and broader understandings of society. However, speakers also highlighted the technical challenges associated with categorising and collecting SOGISC measures.

As a result, the Occasional Paper provides a synthesis of key considerations in decision-making around the inclusion or exclusion of SOGISC measures. It presents arguments both in favour of and against their inclusion, highlighting the potential benefits and harms in each case, alongside evidence that may help to mitigate these harms. This cost-benefit analysis aims to support survey designers in weighing the trade-offs involved in including SOGISC variables, recognising that while the ideal scenario may be to measure SOGISC in social surveys, such inclusion is accompanied by practical, ethical, and methodological complexities. Even where inclusion may offer important benefits, these must be carefully balanced against potential costs. In particular, increased visibility of sexual and gender minorities can enable better policies, services, and representation, but these gains must be weighed against risks to safety, privacy, and statistical integrity.

Suggested citation: Mkhize, S.P., Brouard, P., Mkhwanazi, V., Ngwato, T.P., and de Kadt, J. (2026). Balancing inclusivity and practicality: should the South African census and social surveys include measures beyond the gender binary? GCRO Occasional Paper, June 2026. https://doi.org/10.36634/ZZFI4142