Quality Statement
The 2023 Census implemented the Data standard for gender, sex and variations of sex characteristics.
It is recommend viewing this cisgender and transgender status indicator alongside the information by concepts for gender, sex at birth, and Rainbow/LGBTIQ+ for important context about how these concepts interrelate and the recommended use of the data.
Cisgender refers to a person whose gender is the same as the sex recorded at their birth. Transgender refers to a person whose gender is different from the sex recorded at their birth.
The criterion used to classify a person as cisgender or transgender is self-defined. It is derived based on the responses provided to the gender and sex at birth questions.
It is important to note that this does not ascribe an identity to someone (that is, it should not be assumed that people identify with any of these terms). Instead, responses are categorised to compare groups. Being classified into a cisgender or transgender category reflects the relationship between a person’s sex at birth and their gender, and whether these differ or align. It is not a statement about the terms that someone identifies with.
Poor quality
Data quality processes section below has more detail on the rating.
Priority level 3
A priority level is assigned to all census concepts: priority 1, 2, or 3 (with 1 being highest and 3 being the lowest priority).
Cisgender and transgender status is a priority 3 concept. Priority 3 concepts are given third priority in terms of quality, time, and resources across all phases of a census. Priority level three concepts are those that are:
- data that census would not be solely run for, and information about population groups that could not be captured without being in a census
- data that is important to certain groups
- data that can be used to create sampling frames for other surveys.
Cisgender and transgender status is a new concept in the 2023 Census.
The 2023 Census: Final content report has more information on priority ratings for census concepts.
Census usually resident population count aged 15 years and over
‘Subject population’ means the people, families, households, or dwellings that the variable applies to.
Cisgender and transgender status is classified in the following categories:
Standard classification of cisgender and transgender V1.0.0 – level 1 of 2
Code | Category |
---|---|
01 | Cisgender |
02 | Transgender |
04 | Cisgender and transgender status unidentifiable |
Cisgender and transgender status uses a 2-level hierarchical classification with level 1 categories presented in the table above. At level 2 of the classification, further detail is available (transgender male/transgender female/transgender person of another gender).
Follow the link above the table to examine the classification in more detail.
Standards and classifications has more information on what classifications are, how they are reviewed, and where they are stored, and to provide feedback on them.
Cisgender and transgender status is derived from combined responses from the gender and sex at birth questions on the individual and dwelling / household set-up forms. Gender was asked on the online household set up form, on the dwelling form (question 18 paper form) and on the individual form (question 3 paper form). Sex at birth was only asked on the individual form (question 4 paper form).
Further details can be found in the Data sources section.
Stats NZ Store House has samples for both the individual and dwelling paper forms.
Data from this variable is used:
- to give a representative picture of the diversity of New Zealand
- to provide data to assist people in advocating for the needs of their communities
- by central and local government for planning, service provision, and policy development
- to inform health services and funding within the health sector, for example gender-affirming care
- to understand how wellbeing and outcomes differ between cisgender and transgender populations.
The table below shows the distribution of data sources for cisgender and transgender status data.
The cisgender and transgender status indicator will only be produced for records where individual census form responses provide the necessary information; alternatively sourced data or imputed data were not used to complete the variable.
For records where that is not possible, the value will show ‘cisgender and transgender status unidentifiable’, and the data source indicator will be coded to ‘no information’. Further information on the data quality concerns that arise from using alternatively sourced or imputed data in this derived variable is explained further in the Methodologies for filling gaps in gender and sex at birth concepts for the 2023 Census paper.
Data sources for cisgender and transgender status data, as a percentage of census usually resident population count aged 15 years and older, 2023 Census | |
---|---|
Source of cisgender and transgender status data | Percent |
2023 Census response | 86.2 |
Historical census | 0.0 |
Admin data | 0.0 |
Deterministic derivation | 0.0 |
Statistical imputation | 0.0 |
No information | 13.8 |
Total | 100.0 |
Note: Due to rounding, individual figures may not always sum to the stated total(s) or score contributions. |
Editing, data sources, and imputation in the 2023 Census describes how data quality is improved by editing and how missing and residual responses are filled with alternative data sources (admin data and historical census responses) or statistical imputation.
The percentage of ‘Cisgender and transgender status unidentifiable’ in the 2023 Census is 13.8 percent.
Overall quality rating: Poor
Data has been evaluated to assess whether it meets quality standards and is suitable for use.
Three quality metrics contribute to the overall quality rating:
- data sources and coverage
- consistency and coherence
- accuracy of responses.
The lowest rated metric determines the overall quality rating.
Data quality assurance in the 2023 Census provides more information on the quality rating scale.
Data sources and coverage: Poor quality
The quality of all the data sources that contribute to the output for the variable were assessed. To calculate the data sources and coverage quality score for a variable, each data source is rated and multiplied by the proportion it contributes to the total output.
The rating for a valid census response is defined as 1.00. Ratings for other sources are the best estimates available of their quality relative to a census response. Each source that contributes to the output for that variable is then multiplied by the proportion it contributes to the total output. The total score then determines the metric rating according to the following range:
- 0.98–1.00 = very high
- 0.95–<0.98 = high
- 0.90–<0.95 = moderate
- 0.75–<0.90 = poor
- <0.75 = very poor.
Only census responses are used for cisgender and transgender status which results in a high level of ‘no information’ and a score of 0.86. This leads to a quality rating of poor.
Data sources and coverage rating calculation for cisgender and transgender status data, census usually resident population count aged 15 years and older, 2023 Census | |||
Source of cisgender and transgender status data | Rating | Percent | Score contribution |
---|---|---|---|
2023 Census response | 1.00 | 86.20 | 0.86 |
No information | 0.00 | 13.80 | 0.00 |
Total | 100.00 | 0.86 | |
Note: Due to rounding, individual figures may not always sum to stated total(s) or score contributions. |
Consistency and coherence: High quality
Cisgender and transgender status data is consistent with expectations across nearly all consistency checks, with some minor variation from expectations or benchmarks.
The proportion of transgender individuals for the stated population is at the high end of expected values at a national level compared with results from other household surveys. Because this is the first time this concept is being produced for the entire New Zealand population, there is a lack of comparable data. The census results show higher levels of transgender individuals in major urban areas with tertiary institutions and a younger age spread.
As the 2023 Census is the first that has derived cisgender and transgender status data, this variable cannot be compared to historical data.
Accuracy of responses: Very high quality
Cisgender and transgender status data has no data quality issues that have an observable effect on the data. The quality of coding of the input variables is very high. Any issues with the variable appear in a very low number of cases (typically less than a hundred).
Cisgender and transgender status data is a new derivation produced in the 2023 Census, resulting from the first collection of both gender and sex at birth. The quality of data is very good overall, however there are some minor quality issues with the ‘another gender’ category from the input variable of gender. Gender contributes to the level 1 ‘transgender’ category and the level 2 ‘transgender person of another gender’ category.
Data for cisgender and transgender status at level 1 is appropriate for use at the national, regional council, territorial authority and local board, statistical area 2 level geographies. Use of the data at geographies below statistical area 2 is not recommended due to some quality concerns in the contributing category ‘another gender’ as well as small overall levels of the population of interest (transgender).
Data for cisgender and transgender status at level 2 is appropriate for use at the national, regional council, and territorial authority and local board. Users should be aware that data below these levels is likely to be sparse for the populations of interest, particularly at level 2 of the classification. Caution should be applied when looking at characteristics of these small populations.
Comparisons to other data sources
Although there are surveys and sources other than the census that collect cisgender and transgender data, data users are advised to familiarise themselves with the strengths and limitations of the sources before use.
Cisgender and transgender status is a new concept in the 2023 Census.
Contact our Information centre for further information about using this concept.