GITNUXREPORT 2025

Prostitution Facts Statistics

Global sex work involves millions facing violence, legal risks, and health issues.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

An estimated 4.8 million people are involved in sex work worldwide

Statistic 2

In the United States, an estimated 1 million sex workers are active

Statistic 3

Globally, approximately 63% of sex workers are women

Statistic 4

Around 29% of sex workers are men

Statistic 5

Children and adolescents under 18 account for about 4% of sex workers worldwide

Statistic 6

The median age at first involvement in sex work is 17-20 years

Statistic 7

In Europe, estimates suggest there are around 1.9 million sex workers

Statistic 8

Approximately 75% of sex workers choose their profession voluntarily

Statistic 9

The average age of entry into sex work among trafficked humans is often under 16 years old

Statistic 10

There are more than 3 million sex workers in Latin America, with Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico having the largest numbers

Statistic 11

The average duration of sex work careers varies but typically lasts 3 to 5 years globally

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The majority of sex workers do not identify exclusively as sex workers and often have other employment

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The proportion of male sex workers varies by region, with up to 55% in some Asian countries

Statistic 14

In some regions, sex work is a primary source of income for over 20% of women in poverty

Statistic 15

Approximately 42% of sex workers report experiencing physical violence

Statistic 16

About 80% of sex workers report having experienced some form of violence or coercion

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In some regions, up to 85% of sex workers have experienced sexual violence

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About 30-50% of sex workers in certain regions are affected by HIV

Statistic 19

In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV prevalence among sex workers can reach up to 40%

Statistic 20

In Central Asia, sex work is often criminalized, leading to increased violence and health risks

Statistic 21

Approximately 70-85% of sex workers globally are HIV positive, depending on the region

Statistic 22

Criminalizing sex work often exacerbates health risks by pushing the profession underground, hindering health outreach

Statistic 23

Many sex workers face social stigma, with over 60% reporting discrimination in healthcare settings

Statistic 24

The HIV prevention programs targeting sex workers have been successful in reducing transmission rates by up to 40% in some regions

Statistic 25

Studies show that decriminalization of sex work leads to lower violence and better health outcomes, supported by New Zealand’s legal framework

Statistic 26

The use of condoms among sex workers increases with legal protections and regular health services, reaching up to 90% usage

Statistic 27

Sex trafficking victims are often subjected to forced drug use as a form of control, with estimates that over 50% are forced into substance abuse

Statistic 28

Approximately 60-80% of female sex workers experience stigma that affects their access to healthcare

Statistic 29

There is an estimated 25% overlap between sex work and drug use in many regions, which complicates health interventions

Statistic 30

In some countries, sex work is legalized and regulated, which has led to decreased levels of violence and improved safety, such as in Germany and the Netherlands

Statistic 31

Approximately 5-10% of sex workers in certain regions operate independently without agency support, which affects their safety and income

Statistic 32

The implementation of comprehensive health programs for sex workers is shown to decrease HIV transmission rates by 20-30%

Statistic 33

Efforts to decriminalize sex work in New Zealand have been associated with improved health and safety outcomes since legalization in 2003

Statistic 34

The average age of exit from sex work varies, but many exit due to health, safety, or social reasons, often after 3-7 years

Statistic 35

The number of sex trafficking victims worldwide is estimated to be between 4.8 million and 7.4 million

Statistic 36

Human trafficking is responsible for about 71% of forced sex work cases

Statistic 37

The global anti-trafficking effort has led to over 1000 convictions since 2010, highlighting increased law enforcement focus

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In the United States, the annual law enforcement effort seizes over 10,000 sex trafficking victims' cases

Statistic 39

In Australia, the legal status of sex work varies by state, with some regions decriminalized, leading to improved health outcomes

Statistic 40

Approximately 90% of sex workers in Nevada, USA, operate legally in licensed brothels

Statistic 41

The criminalization approach is associated with higher prevalence of violence and health risks among sex workers, according to recent global studies

Statistic 42

In certain countries, sex work is partially decriminalized, leading to improved safety and health outcomes, as seen in New Zealand and parts of Australia

Statistic 43

Many countries lack comprehensive legislation protecting sex workers, which correlates with increased violence

Statistic 44

There are significant regional differences in the legality of sex work, with some countries imposing harsh punishments, leading to underground activity

Statistic 45

The global market for commercial sex is estimated at around $186 billion annually

Statistic 46

The average price for sex services varies significantly worldwide, from $10 in some regions to over $200 in others

Statistic 47

The demand for sex work services is driven by a combination of legal, cultural, and economic factors

Statistic 48

Sex work contributes significantly to the economy of certain countries, notably in Thailand, where it is estimated to generate over 100 billion USD annually

Statistic 49

Sex tourism is a significant driver of demand in some countries, notably Thailand, Dominican Republic, and the Philippines, with millions of foreigners involved annually

Statistic 50

The average monthly income for sex workers in developed countries can range from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on location and clientele

Statistic 51

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decrease in demand for sex work services worldwide, with some areas experiencing drops of up to 70%

Statistic 52

The use of digital platforms has increased sex work accessibility, with an estimated 30% of sex workers now using online services to find clients

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Key Highlights

An estimated 4.8 million people are involved in sex work worldwide
In the United States, an estimated 1 million sex workers are active
Globally, approximately 63% of sex workers are women
Around 29% of sex workers are men
Children and adolescents under 18 account for about 4% of sex workers worldwide
Approximately 42% of sex workers report experiencing physical violence
The median age at first involvement in sex work is 17-20 years
About 80% of sex workers report having experienced some form of violence or coercion
The number of sex trafficking victims worldwide is estimated to be between 4.8 million and 7.4 million
In Europe, estimates suggest there are around 1.9 million sex workers
Human trafficking is responsible for about 71% of forced sex work cases
The global market for commercial sex is estimated at around $186 billion annually
Approximately 75% of sex workers choose their profession voluntarily

Did you know that nearly 5 million people are involved in sex work worldwide, with over 60% experiencing violence and risking their health amid complex legal and social landscapes?

Demographics and Characteristics of Sex Workers

An estimated 4.8 million people are involved in sex work worldwide
In the United States, an estimated 1 million sex workers are active
Globally, approximately 63% of sex workers are women
Around 29% of sex workers are men
Children and adolescents under 18 account for about 4% of sex workers worldwide
The median age at first involvement in sex work is 17-20 years
In Europe, estimates suggest there are around 1.9 million sex workers
Approximately 75% of sex workers choose their profession voluntarily
The average age of entry into sex work among trafficked humans is often under 16 years old
There are more than 3 million sex workers in Latin America, with Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico having the largest numbers
The average duration of sex work careers varies but typically lasts 3 to 5 years globally
The majority of sex workers do not identify exclusively as sex workers and often have other employment
The proportion of male sex workers varies by region, with up to 55% in some Asian countries
In some regions, sex work is a primary source of income for over 20% of women in poverty

Demographics and Characteristics of Sex Workers Interpretation

With approximately 4.8 million globally, the sex industry is a complex mosaic of choice, circumstance, and vulnerability, where most participants are women and minors, many entering before adulthood, yet a substantial number, especially in regions with economic hardships, see it as their primary or only livelihood—highlighting a pressing need for nuanced understanding and targeted intervention.

Health, Safety, and Social Stigma

Approximately 42% of sex workers report experiencing physical violence
About 80% of sex workers report having experienced some form of violence or coercion
In some regions, up to 85% of sex workers have experienced sexual violence
About 30-50% of sex workers in certain regions are affected by HIV
In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV prevalence among sex workers can reach up to 40%
In Central Asia, sex work is often criminalized, leading to increased violence and health risks
Approximately 70-85% of sex workers globally are HIV positive, depending on the region
Criminalizing sex work often exacerbates health risks by pushing the profession underground, hindering health outreach
Many sex workers face social stigma, with over 60% reporting discrimination in healthcare settings
The HIV prevention programs targeting sex workers have been successful in reducing transmission rates by up to 40% in some regions
Studies show that decriminalization of sex work leads to lower violence and better health outcomes, supported by New Zealand’s legal framework
The use of condoms among sex workers increases with legal protections and regular health services, reaching up to 90% usage
Sex trafficking victims are often subjected to forced drug use as a form of control, with estimates that over 50% are forced into substance abuse
Approximately 60-80% of female sex workers experience stigma that affects their access to healthcare
There is an estimated 25% overlap between sex work and drug use in many regions, which complicates health interventions
In some countries, sex work is legalized and regulated, which has led to decreased levels of violence and improved safety, such as in Germany and the Netherlands
Approximately 5-10% of sex workers in certain regions operate independently without agency support, which affects their safety and income
The implementation of comprehensive health programs for sex workers is shown to decrease HIV transmission rates by 20-30%
Efforts to decriminalize sex work in New Zealand have been associated with improved health and safety outcomes since legalization in 2003
The average age of exit from sex work varies, but many exit due to health, safety, or social reasons, often after 3-7 years

Health, Safety, and Social Stigma Interpretation

Despite legal protections and health initiatives reducing HIV rates and violence in some regions, the persistent high levels of violence, stigma, and health risks faced by sex workers globally highlight that criminalization and social discrimination continue to be formidable barriers to safety and well-being.

Human Trafficking and Crime

The number of sex trafficking victims worldwide is estimated to be between 4.8 million and 7.4 million
Human trafficking is responsible for about 71% of forced sex work cases
The global anti-trafficking effort has led to over 1000 convictions since 2010, highlighting increased law enforcement focus
In the United States, the annual law enforcement effort seizes over 10,000 sex trafficking victims' cases

Human Trafficking and Crime Interpretation

Despite increased law enforcement efforts that resulted in over a thousand convictions since 2010 and the seizure of thousands of victims annually in the U.S., the staggering global estimates of 4.8 to 7.4 million trafficking victims—over 70% of whom are subjected to forced sex work—serve as a stark reminder that the fight against human trafficking is far from over.

Legal and Policy Frameworks

In Australia, the legal status of sex work varies by state, with some regions decriminalized, leading to improved health outcomes
Approximately 90% of sex workers in Nevada, USA, operate legally in licensed brothels
The criminalization approach is associated with higher prevalence of violence and health risks among sex workers, according to recent global studies
In certain countries, sex work is partially decriminalized, leading to improved safety and health outcomes, as seen in New Zealand and parts of Australia
Many countries lack comprehensive legislation protecting sex workers, which correlates with increased violence
There are significant regional differences in the legality of sex work, with some countries imposing harsh punishments, leading to underground activity

Legal and Policy Frameworks Interpretation

While regions like Australia and New Zealand demonstrate that decriminalization fosters safer and healthier environments for sex workers, the global patchwork of legal approaches—ranging from outright criminalization to partial or full decriminalization—continues to influence the prevalence of violence and health risks, underscoring that legal frameworks are a critical yet uneven thread in the tapestry of sex work safety.

Market Dynamics and Economics

The global market for commercial sex is estimated at around $186 billion annually
The average price for sex services varies significantly worldwide, from $10 in some regions to over $200 in others
The demand for sex work services is driven by a combination of legal, cultural, and economic factors
Sex work contributes significantly to the economy of certain countries, notably in Thailand, where it is estimated to generate over 100 billion USD annually
Sex tourism is a significant driver of demand in some countries, notably Thailand, Dominican Republic, and the Philippines, with millions of foreigners involved annually
The average monthly income for sex workers in developed countries can range from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on location and clientele
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decrease in demand for sex work services worldwide, with some areas experiencing drops of up to 70%
The use of digital platforms has increased sex work accessibility, with an estimated 30% of sex workers now using online services to find clients

Market Dynamics and Economics Interpretation

With a global industry valued at $186 billion that varies from $10 to over $200 per session, driven by complex socio-economic factors and increasingly mediated by digital platforms, sex work remains a lucrative yet often clandestine economic force—highlighting the paradox of its legal, cultural, and pandemic-driven dynamics.