GITNUXREPORT 2025

Prostitution Gender Statistics

Global sex industry profits, predominantly female victims, with high violence rates.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Studies show that women involved in prostitution are more likely to experience mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

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In some countries, approximately 90% of prostitutes report feeling violence and threats of violence.

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In many parts of the world, police corruption and abuse are common issues faced by sex workers, impacting their safety and human rights.

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In Australia, decriminalization of sex work has led to decreased violence and improved health outcomes for sex workers.

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Evidence suggests that criminalization increases risks for sex workers by pushing them into more dangerous environments.

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About 1 in 5 sex workers globally report experiencing violence from clients or law enforcement.

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Efforts to decriminalize sex work in New Zealand have been linked to improved health outcomes and reduced violence.

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The mortality rate in sex work, particularly among trafficked minors, is higher than in the general population due to violence and health risks.

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In some regions, stigma and discrimination are major barriers preventing sex workers from accessing health care and legal help.

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The average duration of sex work career varies but can be as short as 1-2 years due to violence, health issues, and legal problems.

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In numerous countries, laws criminalizing the purchase of sex have led to increased risks for sex workers by discouraging condom use and reporting violence.

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Sex trafficking victims often face psychological trauma, with long-term impacts on mental health and well-being.

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The majority of sex workers worldwide lack access to consistent, affordable health services.

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Structural stigma and criminal laws are linked to higher rates of violence and health risks among sex workers.

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An estimated 4.8 million people were victims of forced labor and sexual exploitation globally in 2016, including victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.

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Approximately 1 million people are trafficked across international borders each year, many involved in prostitution.

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According to the International Labour Organization, around 4.5 million people are in forced sexual exploitation, which approximates 90% women.

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Human trafficking for sexual exploitation is the third largest transnational crime after drug trafficking and arms smuggling.

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The United Nations reports that traffickers often target vulnerable populations, including impoverished women and children.

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Nearly 60% of trafficking victims globally are women, with a significant proportion being involved in commercial sex.

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In South Africa, sex work is criminalized, which severely hampers efforts to protect sex workers from violence and exploitation.

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The global sex industry generates approximately $99 billion annually, with $18 billion coming from North America alone.

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In some countries, prostitution accounts for up to 0.5% of GDP.

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It is estimated that around 70% of prostitution victims worldwide are women and girls, with men and boys making up the remaining 30%.

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In Europe, estimates suggest that 80-90% of sex workers experience some form of violence, coercion, or exploitation.

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In the United States, an estimated 83% of sex trafficking victims are women and girls, with boys making up approximately 17%.

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The average age of entry into commercial sex work varies globally, but in some regions, it can be as low as 12 years old.

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The proportion of female sex workers who have experienced physical or sexual violence ranges from 45% to 75% depending on the region.

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In countries like Thailand, around 40% of sex workers are minors under 18.

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A survey in the Netherlands found that 84% of sex workers do not consider themselves victims of trafficking.

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Approximately 0.5% of the global population has engaged in sex work at some point in their lives.

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The majority of sex workers globally are unregistered and operate in informal settings, hindering access to healthcare and legal protection.

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In some regions, sex workers have a higher prevalence of HIV compared to the general population, with rates exceeding 20% in certain areas.

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The proportion of male sex workers is estimated at around 10-15% in many countries, though data is limited due to social stigma.

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In certain countries, migration significantly influences the composition of sex workers, with up to 60% being migrants.

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The prevalence of indoor sex work is higher in Western countries, while outdoor sex work is more common elsewhere.

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Female sex workers report higher levels of violence, abuse, and exploitation than male counterparts.

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Economic hardships and unemployment are primary factors pushing women into prostitution in many countries.

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Studies indicate that clients of sex workers often prefer women in their 20s and 30s, impacting the age distribution of sex workers.

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HIV prevalence among sex workers varies globally, with some regions reporting rates above 40% among female sex workers.

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In some parts of Asia, a significant percentage of sex workers are involved in the industry due to economic necessity rather than choice.

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Key Highlights

An estimated 4.8 million people were victims of forced labor and sexual exploitation globally in 2016, including victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
The global sex industry generates approximately $99 billion annually, with $18 billion coming from North America alone.
It is estimated that around 70% of prostitution victims worldwide are women and girls, with men and boys making up the remaining 30%.
In Europe, estimates suggest that 80-90% of sex workers experience some form of violence, coercion, or exploitation.
In the United States, an estimated 83% of sex trafficking victims are women and girls, with boys making up approximately 17%.
Approximately 1 million people are trafficked across international borders each year, many involved in prostitution.
In some countries, prostitution accounts for up to 0.5% of GDP.
The average age of entry into commercial sex work varies globally, but in some regions, it can be as low as 12 years old.
Studies show that women involved in prostitution are more likely to experience mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
In some countries, approximately 90% of prostitutes report feeling violence and threats of violence.
The proportion of female sex workers who have experienced physical or sexual violence ranges from 45% to 75% depending on the region.
According to the International Labour Organization, around 4.5 million people are in forced sexual exploitation, which approximates 90% women.
In countries like Thailand, around 40% of sex workers are minors under 18.

A staggering global crisis unfolds behind closed doors: with nearly 5 million victims of forced sexual exploitation annually, over 70% of whom are women and girls, the pervasive gender disparities and violence within the prostitution industry reveal urgent human rights and public health challenges worldwide.

Health, Safety, and Social Impacts

Studies show that women involved in prostitution are more likely to experience mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
In some countries, approximately 90% of prostitutes report feeling violence and threats of violence.
In many parts of the world, police corruption and abuse are common issues faced by sex workers, impacting their safety and human rights.
In Australia, decriminalization of sex work has led to decreased violence and improved health outcomes for sex workers.
Evidence suggests that criminalization increases risks for sex workers by pushing them into more dangerous environments.
About 1 in 5 sex workers globally report experiencing violence from clients or law enforcement.
Efforts to decriminalize sex work in New Zealand have been linked to improved health outcomes and reduced violence.
The mortality rate in sex work, particularly among trafficked minors, is higher than in the general population due to violence and health risks.
In some regions, stigma and discrimination are major barriers preventing sex workers from accessing health care and legal help.
The average duration of sex work career varies but can be as short as 1-2 years due to violence, health issues, and legal problems.
In numerous countries, laws criminalizing the purchase of sex have led to increased risks for sex workers by discouraging condom use and reporting violence.
Sex trafficking victims often face psychological trauma, with long-term impacts on mental health and well-being.
The majority of sex workers worldwide lack access to consistent, affordable health services.
Structural stigma and criminal laws are linked to higher rates of violence and health risks among sex workers.

Health, Safety, and Social Impacts Interpretation

While decriminalization and compassion can transform the perilous landscape for sex workers into a pathway toward safety and dignity, the persistent criminalization and stigma continue to cast long shadows over their mental health, safety, and human rights.

Human Trafficking and Exploitation

An estimated 4.8 million people were victims of forced labor and sexual exploitation globally in 2016, including victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
Approximately 1 million people are trafficked across international borders each year, many involved in prostitution.
According to the International Labour Organization, around 4.5 million people are in forced sexual exploitation, which approximates 90% women.
Human trafficking for sexual exploitation is the third largest transnational crime after drug trafficking and arms smuggling.
The United Nations reports that traffickers often target vulnerable populations, including impoverished women and children.
Nearly 60% of trafficking victims globally are women, with a significant proportion being involved in commercial sex.

Human Trafficking and Exploitation Interpretation

The stark reality that nearly 90% of the roughly 4.5 million victims of forced sexual exploitation are women, many ensnared through cross-border trafficking, underscores a grim global gendered crisis where vulnerability, exploitation, and inequality continue to fuel one of the world's most lucrative illegal trades.

Legal and Policy Frameworks

In South Africa, sex work is criminalized, which severely hampers efforts to protect sex workers from violence and exploitation.

Legal and Policy Frameworks Interpretation

Despite being criminalized, South Africa's sex work statistics reveal that the true crime is the state's failure to recognize and safeguard the rights of sex workers, leaving them vulnerable to violence and exploitation in the shadows.

Market Size and Industry Revenue

The global sex industry generates approximately $99 billion annually, with $18 billion coming from North America alone.
In some countries, prostitution accounts for up to 0.5% of GDP.

Market Size and Industry Revenue Interpretation

With the sex industry raking in nearly a hundred billion dollars worldwide—and up to half a percent of some nations’ GDP—it's clear that in both the economy and society, revenue often outpaces many people's perceptions of morality.

Prevalence and Demographics of Sex Work

It is estimated that around 70% of prostitution victims worldwide are women and girls, with men and boys making up the remaining 30%.
In Europe, estimates suggest that 80-90% of sex workers experience some form of violence, coercion, or exploitation.
In the United States, an estimated 83% of sex trafficking victims are women and girls, with boys making up approximately 17%.
The average age of entry into commercial sex work varies globally, but in some regions, it can be as low as 12 years old.
The proportion of female sex workers who have experienced physical or sexual violence ranges from 45% to 75% depending on the region.
In countries like Thailand, around 40% of sex workers are minors under 18.
A survey in the Netherlands found that 84% of sex workers do not consider themselves victims of trafficking.
Approximately 0.5% of the global population has engaged in sex work at some point in their lives.
The majority of sex workers globally are unregistered and operate in informal settings, hindering access to healthcare and legal protection.
In some regions, sex workers have a higher prevalence of HIV compared to the general population, with rates exceeding 20% in certain areas.
The proportion of male sex workers is estimated at around 10-15% in many countries, though data is limited due to social stigma.
In certain countries, migration significantly influences the composition of sex workers, with up to 60% being migrants.
The prevalence of indoor sex work is higher in Western countries, while outdoor sex work is more common elsewhere.
Female sex workers report higher levels of violence, abuse, and exploitation than male counterparts.
Economic hardships and unemployment are primary factors pushing women into prostitution in many countries.
Studies indicate that clients of sex workers often prefer women in their 20s and 30s, impacting the age distribution of sex workers.
HIV prevalence among sex workers varies globally, with some regions reporting rates above 40% among female sex workers.
In some parts of Asia, a significant percentage of sex workers are involved in the industry due to economic necessity rather than choice.

Prevalence and Demographics of Sex Work Interpretation

While sex work remains a significant global industry blemished by violence and exploitation—especially among women and girls—the persistent taboos, migration patterns, and economic hardships reveal that for many, it is less a matter of choice and more a grim necessity masked behind stigmatized statistics.