GITNUXREPORT 2025

Legalize Prostitution Statistics

Legalizing prostitution reduces violence, STIs, trafficking, and improves safety.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

In New Zealand, since the decriminalization of prostitution in 2003, reports indicate a decrease in STI rates among sex workers

Statistic 2

In Nevada, where prostitution is legal in certain counties, there is a lower rate of HIV transmission among sex workers compared to states where it is illegal

Statistic 3

Surveys in Germany show that legal prostitution services lead to better health outcomes for sex workers due to mandatory health checks

Statistic 4

Research indicates that decriminalization and legalization combined can lead to better working conditions for sex workers

Statistic 5

In Sweden, criminalizing clients rather than sex workers has been associated with reduced demand and safer working environments

Statistic 6

A study in Australia reported that legalized prostitution resulted in better access to health services for sex workers

Statistic 7

In Spain, recent debates on legalizing prostitution focus on reducing violence and improving health standards

Statistic 8

According to a 2015 report by the European Parliament, countries with legalized or decriminalized prostitution report fewer cases of HIV among sex workers

Statistic 9

In Canada, provinces like Ontario that regulate prostitution report fewer safety violations among sex workers

Statistic 10

Surveys in New Zealand indicate that decriminalization has led to improved working conditions and reduced stigma for sex workers

Statistic 11

In Lyon, France, efforts to decriminalize prostitution have been linked with improved integration and health outcomes among sex workers

Statistic 12

In Germany, licensed brothels are subject to regular health inspections, which has improved health standards among sex workers

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Studies have shown that legalization can help reduce drug abuse among sex workers by providing access to health services

Statistic 14

A report on sex work in Australia shows that regulation increases the ability for health authorities to monitor and respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases

Statistic 15

A 2018 study in Canada found that decriminalization led to increased safety and health outcomes for sex workers

Statistic 16

The International Labour Organization estimates that regulated sex industries can provide safe working environments, comparable to other legal employment sectors

Statistic 17

According to a survey in Spain, 65% of sex workers reported feeling that legalization improved their safety and working conditions

Statistic 18

Research suggests that regulated prostitution industries can reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections through enforced health checks

Statistic 19

statistics: In France, discussions around legalization focus on protecting sex workers from violence and exploitation, with research indicating improved safety when regulated

Statistic 20

An analysis of various legalization models finds that comprehensive regulation can lead to better labor rights for sex workers, including enforced contracts and workplace safety

Statistic 21

The Italian Ministry of Health reports that regulated sex work has led to better health screening and reduced HIV transmission rates

Statistic 22

In India, ongoing debates on prostitution legalization focus on human rights concerns, with advocacy groups emphasizing safety and health rights for sex workers

Statistic 23

Studies suggest that regulation policies that include social support services can help reduce poverty among sex workers, contributing to safer work environments

Statistic 24

Countries with legalized prostitution report fewer cases of sexual exploitation and trafficking, according to INTERPOL reports

Statistic 25

Data from Switzerland post-legalization suggests a decline in street prostitution and associated street crime

Statistic 26

Research shows that legal prostitution correlates with increased reporting of crimes against sex workers due to improved trust in legal systems

Statistic 27

Countries like Sweden that criminalize clients see a decrease in demand, potentially reducing the industry's size

Statistic 28

Data from Norway indicates a reduction in street prostitution after implementing laws against buying sex

Statistic 29

Data from the UK indicates that legal prostitution services have been linked to a decrease in street-based sex work, improving safety

Statistic 30

In Sweden, criminalizing the purchase of sex has been associated with a 30% decrease in reported client demand over five years

Statistic 31

Data from the Netherlands shows that legalization decreased the proportion of street prostitutes by approximately 40%, improving urban safety

Statistic 32

In cities where prostitution is legalized, there is often a decline in related street violence, according to urban safety studies

Statistic 33

According to research in Sweden, criminalizing clients led to a 50% reduction in street prostitution over a decade, raising debates on effectiveness

Statistic 34

A study in the Netherlands found that legalizing prostitution led to a significant reduction in violence against sex workers

Statistic 35

Legalization of prostitution has been associated with increased tax revenue, with New Zealand collecting millions annually since legalization

Statistic 36

In Australia, legalization in certain territories helped reduce the rate of violence against sex workers

Statistic 37

According to the World Bank, legalization can result in increased government oversight and regulation of the industry, improving safety standards

Statistic 38

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime states that regulated sex industries can help control illegal trafficking

Statistic 39

Studies in Nevada report that regulated industries see fewer cases of human trafficking than unregulated sectors

Statistic 40

In Spain, legal debates on prostitution focus on balancing safety, health, and ethical concerns, with research supporting improved conditions through regulation

Statistic 41

The Brazilian government estimates around 1 million sex workers operate legally under regulation, contributing taxes and healthcare funding

Statistic 42

In the United States, legal prostitution is limited to certain counties in Nevada to prevent nationwide legalization issues

Statistic 43

In Germany, the introduction of licensing laws resulted in a 20% increase in sex workers registered with health authorities within two years

Statistic 44

A 2020 study in Belgium concluded that legalization led to a 25% decrease in street prostitution and a rise in indoor, regulated venues

Statistic 45

European countries implementing strict licensing report fewer cases of violence and exploitation among legally operating sex workers, according to regional crime data

Statistic 46

Gender equality advocates argue that legalization can empower women and reduce stigma, provided it includes comprehensive protections

Statistic 47

Feminist groups in some countries argue that legalizing prostitution can undermine women's rights, citing concerns about exploitation

Statistic 48

Data from Colombia indicates that regulated prostitution can contribute to better social integration for sex workers, with access to social services

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Key Highlights

In New Zealand, since the decriminalization of prostitution in 2003, reports indicate a decrease in STI rates among sex workers
A study in the Netherlands found that legalizing prostitution led to a significant reduction in violence against sex workers
In Nevada, where prostitution is legal in certain counties, there is a lower rate of HIV transmission among sex workers compared to states where it is illegal
Legalization of prostitution has been associated with increased tax revenue, with New Zealand collecting millions annually since legalization
Surveys in Germany show that legal prostitution services lead to better health outcomes for sex workers due to mandatory health checks
Countries with legalized prostitution report fewer cases of sexual exploitation and trafficking, according to INTERPOL reports
In Australia, legalization in certain territories helped reduce the rate of violence against sex workers
Research indicates that decriminalization and legalization combined can lead to better working conditions for sex workers
According to the World Bank, legalization can result in increased government oversight and regulation of the industry, improving safety standards
In Sweden, criminalizing clients rather than sex workers has been associated with reduced demand and safer working environments
Data from Switzerland post-legalization suggests a decline in street prostitution and associated street crime
A study in Australia reported that legalized prostitution resulted in better access to health services for sex workers
In Spain, recent debates on legalizing prostitution focus on reducing violence and improving health standards

Legalizing prostitution has been shown to promote safety, reduce violence, and improve health outcomes for sex workers worldwide, backed by compelling statistics from multiple countries.

Health and Safety Outcomes

In New Zealand, since the decriminalization of prostitution in 2003, reports indicate a decrease in STI rates among sex workers
In Nevada, where prostitution is legal in certain counties, there is a lower rate of HIV transmission among sex workers compared to states where it is illegal
Surveys in Germany show that legal prostitution services lead to better health outcomes for sex workers due to mandatory health checks
Research indicates that decriminalization and legalization combined can lead to better working conditions for sex workers
In Sweden, criminalizing clients rather than sex workers has been associated with reduced demand and safer working environments
A study in Australia reported that legalized prostitution resulted in better access to health services for sex workers
In Spain, recent debates on legalizing prostitution focus on reducing violence and improving health standards
According to a 2015 report by the European Parliament, countries with legalized or decriminalized prostitution report fewer cases of HIV among sex workers
In Canada, provinces like Ontario that regulate prostitution report fewer safety violations among sex workers
Surveys in New Zealand indicate that decriminalization has led to improved working conditions and reduced stigma for sex workers
In Lyon, France, efforts to decriminalize prostitution have been linked with improved integration and health outcomes among sex workers
In Germany, licensed brothels are subject to regular health inspections, which has improved health standards among sex workers
Studies have shown that legalization can help reduce drug abuse among sex workers by providing access to health services
A report on sex work in Australia shows that regulation increases the ability for health authorities to monitor and respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases
A 2018 study in Canada found that decriminalization led to increased safety and health outcomes for sex workers
The International Labour Organization estimates that regulated sex industries can provide safe working environments, comparable to other legal employment sectors
According to a survey in Spain, 65% of sex workers reported feeling that legalization improved their safety and working conditions
Research suggests that regulated prostitution industries can reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections through enforced health checks
statistics: In France, discussions around legalization focus on protecting sex workers from violence and exploitation, with research indicating improved safety when regulated
An analysis of various legalization models finds that comprehensive regulation can lead to better labor rights for sex workers, including enforced contracts and workplace safety
The Italian Ministry of Health reports that regulated sex work has led to better health screening and reduced HIV transmission rates
In India, ongoing debates on prostitution legalization focus on human rights concerns, with advocacy groups emphasizing safety and health rights for sex workers
Studies suggest that regulation policies that include social support services can help reduce poverty among sex workers, contributing to safer work environments

Health and Safety Outcomes Interpretation

Across the globe, evidence consistently reveals that decriminalization and regulation of prostitution—whether through health checks, legal protections, or targeted policies—not only lower rates of STIs and HIV among sex workers but also foster safer, healthier, and more dignified working conditions, proving that criminalization is the real barrier to safety.

Legalization Effects on Crime and Public Order

Countries with legalized prostitution report fewer cases of sexual exploitation and trafficking, according to INTERPOL reports
Data from Switzerland post-legalization suggests a decline in street prostitution and associated street crime
Research shows that legal prostitution correlates with increased reporting of crimes against sex workers due to improved trust in legal systems
Countries like Sweden that criminalize clients see a decrease in demand, potentially reducing the industry's size
Data from Norway indicates a reduction in street prostitution after implementing laws against buying sex
Data from the UK indicates that legal prostitution services have been linked to a decrease in street-based sex work, improving safety
In Sweden, criminalizing the purchase of sex has been associated with a 30% decrease in reported client demand over five years
Data from the Netherlands shows that legalization decreased the proportion of street prostitutes by approximately 40%, improving urban safety
In cities where prostitution is legalized, there is often a decline in related street violence, according to urban safety studies
According to research in Sweden, criminalizing clients led to a 50% reduction in street prostitution over a decade, raising debates on effectiveness

Legalization Effects on Crime and Public Order Interpretation

Legalizing prostitution appears to correlate with a significant decline in street-level crimes, exploitation, and violence, suggesting that regulating rather than criminalizing sex work may be the smarter way to enhance safety and trust for those involved.

Legalization and Regulatory Frameworks

A study in the Netherlands found that legalizing prostitution led to a significant reduction in violence against sex workers
Legalization of prostitution has been associated with increased tax revenue, with New Zealand collecting millions annually since legalization
In Australia, legalization in certain territories helped reduce the rate of violence against sex workers
According to the World Bank, legalization can result in increased government oversight and regulation of the industry, improving safety standards
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime states that regulated sex industries can help control illegal trafficking
Studies in Nevada report that regulated industries see fewer cases of human trafficking than unregulated sectors
In Spain, legal debates on prostitution focus on balancing safety, health, and ethical concerns, with research supporting improved conditions through regulation
The Brazilian government estimates around 1 million sex workers operate legally under regulation, contributing taxes and healthcare funding
In the United States, legal prostitution is limited to certain counties in Nevada to prevent nationwide legalization issues
In Germany, the introduction of licensing laws resulted in a 20% increase in sex workers registered with health authorities within two years
A 2020 study in Belgium concluded that legalization led to a 25% decrease in street prostitution and a rise in indoor, regulated venues
European countries implementing strict licensing report fewer cases of violence and exploitation among legally operating sex workers, according to regional crime data
Gender equality advocates argue that legalization can empower women and reduce stigma, provided it includes comprehensive protections

Legalization and Regulatory Frameworks Interpretation

Legalizing prostitution across diverse jurisdictions has proven to be a double-edged sword—reducing violence and trafficking while boosting safety and tax revenues—highlighting that regulation, when executed with care, can serve as both a civil rights victory and a pragmatic policy.

Socioeconomic and Cultural Impacts

Feminist groups in some countries argue that legalizing prostitution can undermine women's rights, citing concerns about exploitation
Data from Colombia indicates that regulated prostitution can contribute to better social integration for sex workers, with access to social services

Socioeconomic and Cultural Impacts Interpretation

While some feminist groups worry that legalizing prostitution may jeopardize women's rights by risking exploitation, Colombian data suggests that regulation can serve as a social safety net, offering sex workers access to essential services and fostering better integration—highlighting the nuanced balance between protection and empowerment.