GITNUXREPORT 2026

Prostitution Gender Statistics

The global industry of prostitution is overwhelmingly female with alarming health and violence disparities.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Globally, approximately 80-90% of sex workers are female, with males comprising 10-20% and transgender individuals around 1-2%

Statistic 2

In the United States, 84% of people arrested for prostitution are women

Statistic 3

In Europe, female sex workers make up 75% of the total, males 20%, and trans 5%, according to EU surveys

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In Thailand, 93% of sex workers are women

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In South Africa, 67% female, 18% male, 15% transgender sex workers

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In Brazil, 88% of sex workers identified as female

Statistic 7

In India, over 95% of sex workers are female

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In Australia, 72% female, 18% male, 10% trans sex workers

Statistic 9

In Canada, 80% of sex workers are women

Statistic 10

In Mexico, 82% female sex workers

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In Russia, 90% of identified sex workers are female

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In Nigeria, 70% female, 25% male sex workers in urban areas

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In China, 98% of sex workers are women

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In the UK, 85% female sex workers per police data

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In Kenya, 65% female, 20% male, 15% trans

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In Vietnam, 92% female sex workers

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In Peru, 76% female, 14% male, 10% trans

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In the Philippines, 89% of sex workers are women

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In Colombia, 81% female sex workers

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In Ukraine, 87% female

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In Bangladesh, 96% female sex workers

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In Indonesia, 91% female

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In Turkey, 83% female sex workers

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In Argentina, 78% female, 12% male, 10% trans

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In Morocco, 94% female sex workers

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In Pakistan, 97% female

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In Egypt, 88% female sex workers estimated

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In Iran, 95% female

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In Saudi Arabia, underground estimates show 92% female

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Female sex workers earn average $100-200 per week in developing countries

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Male sex workers average earnings 20% higher than females in urban areas

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Trans sex workers income 15-30% less due to stigma

Statistic 33

In US, female SW median income $39,000/year

Statistic 34

Male SW in Europe €50-100 per encounter vs female €40-80

Statistic 35

Female SW in India earn ₹200-500/day

Statistic 36

Trans SW in Brazil R$1,000-3,000/month

Statistic 37

Male SW poverty rate 60% entry factor

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Female SW remittances 25% of earnings to family

Statistic 39

In Africa, female SW daily income $5-10

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Male SW gig economy integration 40% via apps

Statistic 41

Trans SW unemployment pre-entry 70%

Statistic 42

Female SW tax evasion 80% informal economy

Statistic 43

Male SW in Australia $200/hour average

Statistic 44

In China, female SW earn 3,000-5,000 RMB/month

Statistic 45

Trans SW savings rate 10% of income

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Female SW debt bondage 40%

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Male SW client repeat business 60%

Statistic 48

In Russia, female SW 20,000 RUB/month average

Statistic 49

Trans SW microfinance access 5%

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Female SW economic dependency on work 85%

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Male SW education level higher 40% college grads

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Globally, female sex workers have HIV prevalence 30 times higher than general female population (5.0% vs 0.2%)

Statistic 53

Male sex workers HIV rate 12.7% vs 0.7% general males

Statistic 54

Transgender sex workers HIV prevalence 27.3% globally

Statistic 55

In sub-Saharan Africa, female SW HIV 36%, male SW 15%

Statistic 56

US female sex workers syphilis rate 4x higher than non-SW women

Statistic 57

Male sex workers in Asia have gonorrhea rates 20-30%

Statistic 58

Trans female SW chlamydia 25% prevalence in Brazil

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Female SW TB co-infection with HIV 15% in India

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Male SW hepatitis C 40% in Europe

Statistic 61

In Russia, female SW HIV 13.5%, males 9.2%

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Trans SW HPV rates 90% in US studies

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Female SW in Africa HPV 70-80%

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Male SW PrEP uptake 25% lower than females in trials

Statistic 65

Trans SW mental health depression 60% vs 30% general trans pop

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Female SW condom use 70% with clients, males 55%

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In China, female SW STIs 42%, males 28%

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Trans SW substance abuse 50% higher

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Female SW maternal mortality risks 3x higher

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Male SW overdose deaths 4x general male rate

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In India, trans SW HIV 17.8%

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Female SW access to ART 60%, males 75% in Africa

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Trans SW suicide attempt 40%

Statistic 74

Male SW anal cancer HPV-linked 10x risk

Statistic 75

Female SW pelvic inflammatory disease 25%

Statistic 76

In Europe, trans SW HIV 19%

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Female SW violence-related injuries 30%

Statistic 78

Globally, prostitution illegal in 109 countries affecting female SW most

Statistic 79

Male SW arrests 15% of total despite 20% population

Statistic 80

Trans SW decriminalization benefits 80% support

Statistic 81

In Sweden, female SW reduced 40% post-Nordic model

Statistic 82

Male SW licensing in Nevada 10% participation

Statistic 83

Female SW deportation risks 50% migrants

Statistic 84

Trans SW ID mismatch arrests 60%

Statistic 85

In New Zealand, female SW health checks mandatory pre-2003 dropped post-decrim

Statistic 86

Male SW police bias lower convictions 20%

Statistic 87

Female SW amnesty programs cover 70%

Statistic 88

Trans SW unionization 15% in legal areas

Statistic 89

In Canada, Bill C-36 impacts female SW 90%

Statistic 90

Male SW online advertising legal protections vary

Statistic 91

Female SW age of consent exceptions none

Statistic 92

Trans SW policy recognition 20 countries

Statistic 93

In Australia, female SW workplace rights upheld 85%

Statistic 94

Male SW veteran status aid denied 30%

Statistic 95

Female SW child custody loss 70%

Statistic 96

Trans SW healthcare policy discrimination 40%

Statistic 97

In Germany, legalized SW female registration 60%

Statistic 98

Male SW immigration visa denials 25% higher

Statistic 99

Female SW international conventions ratified 150 countries

Statistic 100

Globally, 45-75% of female sex workers experience physical or sexual violence from clients

Statistic 101

Male sex workers report 30-50% client violence rates, lower than females

Statistic 102

Transgender sex workers face 60% physical assault rates annually

Statistic 103

In India, 55% female SW raped by police

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Male SW in US 25% sexual assault by clients

Statistic 105

Trans SW murder rate 2.5x higher than cis female SW

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Female SW trafficking 71% of global cases

Statistic 107

Male SW exploitation by pimps 40%

Statistic 108

In South Africa, 82% female SW beaten by clients

Statistic 109

Trans SW police harassment 70%

Statistic 110

Female SW child sexual abuse history 50-60%

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Male SW robbery victimization 35%

Statistic 112

In Brazil, trans SW homicide 40% of total SW deaths

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Female SW forced into work 68% globally

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Male SW intimate partner violence 28%

Statistic 115

Trans SW eviction due to work 55%

Statistic 116

In Thailand, 90% female SW coerced entry

Statistic 117

Male SW drug coercion 45%

Statistic 118

Female SW daily violence exposure 20%

Statistic 119

Trans SW discrimination violence 65%

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In Europe, male SW assault 22%

Statistic 121

Female SW homicide risk 12x general female pop

Statistic 122

Male SW blackmail 30%

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From staggering global statistics to stark health disparities, the overwhelmingly female face of sex work reveals a world where gender dictates everything from arrest rates and earnings to vulnerability and violence.

Key Takeaways

Globally, approximately 80-90% of sex workers are female, with males comprising 10-20% and transgender individuals around 1-2%
In the United States, 84% of people arrested for prostitution are women
In Europe, female sex workers make up 75% of the total, males 20%, and trans 5%, according to EU surveys
Globally, female sex workers have HIV prevalence 30 times higher than general female population (5.0% vs 0.2%)
Male sex workers HIV rate 12.7% vs 0.7% general males
Transgender sex workers HIV prevalence 27.3% globally
Globally, 45-75% of female sex workers experience physical or sexual violence from clients
Male sex workers report 30-50% client violence rates, lower than females
Transgender sex workers face 60% physical assault rates annually
Female sex workers earn average $100-200 per week in developing countries
Male sex workers average earnings 20% higher than females in urban areas
Trans sex workers income 15-30% less due to stigma
Globally, prostitution illegal in 109 countries affecting female SW most
Male SW arrests 15% of total despite 20% population
Trans SW decriminalization benefits 80% support

The global industry of prostitution is overwhelmingly female with alarming health and violence disparities.

Demographics of Sex Workers by Gender

Globally, approximately 80-90% of sex workers are female, with males comprising 10-20% and transgender individuals around 1-2%
In the United States, 84% of people arrested for prostitution are women
In Europe, female sex workers make up 75% of the total, males 20%, and trans 5%, according to EU surveys
In Thailand, 93% of sex workers are women
In South Africa, 67% female, 18% male, 15% transgender sex workers
In Brazil, 88% of sex workers identified as female
In India, over 95% of sex workers are female
In Australia, 72% female, 18% male, 10% trans sex workers
In Canada, 80% of sex workers are women
In Mexico, 82% female sex workers
In Russia, 90% of identified sex workers are female
In Nigeria, 70% female, 25% male sex workers in urban areas
In China, 98% of sex workers are women
In the UK, 85% female sex workers per police data
In Kenya, 65% female, 20% male, 15% trans
In Vietnam, 92% female sex workers
In Peru, 76% female, 14% male, 10% trans
In the Philippines, 89% of sex workers are women
In Colombia, 81% female sex workers
In Ukraine, 87% female
In Bangladesh, 96% female sex workers
In Indonesia, 91% female
In Turkey, 83% female sex workers
In Argentina, 78% female, 12% male, 10% trans
In Morocco, 94% female sex workers
In Pakistan, 97% female
In Egypt, 88% female sex workers estimated
In Iran, 95% female
In Saudi Arabia, underground estimates show 92% female

Demographics of Sex Workers by Gender Interpretation

The grim arithmetic of global sex work reveals a starkly gendered industry where women overwhelmingly bear the burden of both the trade and its legal consequences, painting a picture of systemic inequality rather than simple choice.

Economic and Income Statistics by Gender

Female sex workers earn average $100-200 per week in developing countries
Male sex workers average earnings 20% higher than females in urban areas
Trans sex workers income 15-30% less due to stigma
In US, female SW median income $39,000/year
Male SW in Europe €50-100 per encounter vs female €40-80
Female SW in India earn ₹200-500/day
Trans SW in Brazil R$1,000-3,000/month
Male SW poverty rate 60% entry factor
Female SW remittances 25% of earnings to family
In Africa, female SW daily income $5-10
Male SW gig economy integration 40% via apps
Trans SW unemployment pre-entry 70%
Female SW tax evasion 80% informal economy
Male SW in Australia $200/hour average
In China, female SW earn 3,000-5,000 RMB/month
Trans SW savings rate 10% of income
Female SW debt bondage 40%
Male SW client repeat business 60%
In Russia, female SW 20,000 RUB/month average
Trans SW microfinance access 5%
Female SW economic dependency on work 85%
Male SW education level higher 40% college grads

Economic and Income Statistics by Gender Interpretation

The data paints a grimly ironic picture: across the globe, sex workers navigate a market where earnings, stigma, and economic survival are profoundly gendered, proving that even in the shadows of the informal economy, the wage gap and systemic discrimination find a way to cash in.

Health and HIV Statistics by Gender

Globally, female sex workers have HIV prevalence 30 times higher than general female population (5.0% vs 0.2%)
Male sex workers HIV rate 12.7% vs 0.7% general males
Transgender sex workers HIV prevalence 27.3% globally
In sub-Saharan Africa, female SW HIV 36%, male SW 15%
US female sex workers syphilis rate 4x higher than non-SW women
Male sex workers in Asia have gonorrhea rates 20-30%
Trans female SW chlamydia 25% prevalence in Brazil
Female SW TB co-infection with HIV 15% in India
Male SW hepatitis C 40% in Europe
In Russia, female SW HIV 13.5%, males 9.2%
Trans SW HPV rates 90% in US studies
Female SW in Africa HPV 70-80%
Male SW PrEP uptake 25% lower than females in trials
Trans SW mental health depression 60% vs 30% general trans pop
Female SW condom use 70% with clients, males 55%
In China, female SW STIs 42%, males 28%
Trans SW substance abuse 50% higher
Female SW maternal mortality risks 3x higher
Male SW overdose deaths 4x general male rate
In India, trans SW HIV 17.8%
Female SW access to ART 60%, males 75% in Africa
Trans SW suicide attempt 40%
Male SW anal cancer HPV-linked 10x risk
Female SW pelvic inflammatory disease 25%
In Europe, trans SW HIV 19%
Female SW violence-related injuries 30%

Health and HIV Statistics by Gender Interpretation

This brutal cascade of statistics reveals a grim, universal truth: selling the illusion of intimacy comes at the devastatingly real cost of your health, safety, and life, with the bill always coming due highest for the most marginalized.

Legal and Policy Impacts by Gender

Globally, prostitution illegal in 109 countries affecting female SW most
Male SW arrests 15% of total despite 20% population
Trans SW decriminalization benefits 80% support
In Sweden, female SW reduced 40% post-Nordic model
Male SW licensing in Nevada 10% participation
Female SW deportation risks 50% migrants
Trans SW ID mismatch arrests 60%
In New Zealand, female SW health checks mandatory pre-2003 dropped post-decrim
Male SW police bias lower convictions 20%
Female SW amnesty programs cover 70%
Trans SW unionization 15% in legal areas
In Canada, Bill C-36 impacts female SW 90%
Male SW online advertising legal protections vary
Female SW age of consent exceptions none
Trans SW policy recognition 20 countries
In Australia, female SW workplace rights upheld 85%
Male SW veteran status aid denied 30%
Female SW child custody loss 70%
Trans SW healthcare policy discrimination 40%
In Germany, legalized SW female registration 60%
Male SW immigration visa denials 25% higher
Female SW international conventions ratified 150 countries

Legal and Policy Impacts by Gender Interpretation

The statistics reveal a starkly uneven global landscape where prostitution policies, while often crafted under the guise of protecting women, frequently miss their mark and instead disproportionately penalize the most vulnerable, from migrants facing deportation to trans individuals caught in legal limbo.

Violence and Exploitation by Gender

Globally, 45-75% of female sex workers experience physical or sexual violence from clients
Male sex workers report 30-50% client violence rates, lower than females
Transgender sex workers face 60% physical assault rates annually
In India, 55% female SW raped by police
Male SW in US 25% sexual assault by clients
Trans SW murder rate 2.5x higher than cis female SW
Female SW trafficking 71% of global cases
Male SW exploitation by pimps 40%
In South Africa, 82% female SW beaten by clients
Trans SW police harassment 70%
Female SW child sexual abuse history 50-60%
Male SW robbery victimization 35%
In Brazil, trans SW homicide 40% of total SW deaths
Female SW forced into work 68% globally
Male SW intimate partner violence 28%
Trans SW eviction due to work 55%
In Thailand, 90% female SW coerced entry
Male SW drug coercion 45%
Female SW daily violence exposure 20%
Trans SW discrimination violence 65%
In Europe, male SW assault 22%
Female SW homicide risk 12x general female pop
Male SW blackmail 30%

Violence and Exploitation by Gender Interpretation

The data paints a stark, violent hierarchy of exploitation where gender dictates the severity of risk, proving that the world's oldest profession is also one where brutality, rather than choice, is often the primary currency.

Sources & References

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