Key Takeaways
- The global sex trade is worth $180 billion per year.
- Prostitution generates $14 billion annually in the Netherlands alone.
- Sex tourism in Thailand contributes 10-15% to GDP indirectly.
- Approximately 40-42 million people are trapped in modern slavery worldwide, with prostitution accounting for a significant portion, estimated at 24% of all forced labor victims.
- In 2016, an estimated 4.8 million people were victims of forced sexual exploitation globally.
- Asia and the Pacific region hosts 62% of the world's population in modern slavery, including high rates of sex trafficking.
- HIV prevalence among sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa is 36%.
- 11.8% of female sex workers globally live with HIV.
- Sex workers are 30 times more likely to live with HIV than general population.
- Prostitution illegal in 109 countries worldwide.
- Legal in 12 countries with regulation (e.g., Germany, Netherlands).
- 49 countries criminalize clients (Nordic model).
- Women comprise 90% of detected sex trafficking victims.
- Girls under 18: 20% of sex trafficking victims globally.
- 79% of human trafficking is for sexual exploitation.
Sex trafficking and illegal prostitution generate hundreds of billions yearly, driven by forced labor and severe victim abuse.
Economic Impact
Economic Impact Interpretation
Global Prevalence
Global Prevalence Interpretation
Health Impacts
Health Impacts Interpretation
Legal Status
Legal Status Interpretation
Trafficking and Exploitation
Trafficking and Exploitation Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Isabelle Moreau. (2026, February 13). Global Prostitution Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/global-prostitution-statistics
Isabelle Moreau. "Global Prostitution Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/global-prostitution-statistics.
Isabelle Moreau. 2026. "Global Prostitution Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/global-prostitution-statistics.
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