GITNUXREPORT 2025

Prostitution In The Netherlands Statistics

Dutch prostitution legal, regulated, with diverse workers and ongoing challenges.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

The Netherlands generates an estimated €400 million annually from prostitution

Statistic 2

The average earning of a sex worker in the Netherlands is approximately €1,200 per week

Statistic 3

Nearly 60% of sex workers report experiencing some level of violence or exploitation

Statistic 4

The majority of prostitution arrests in the Netherlands are for human trafficking

Statistic 5

Approximately 12% of sex workers in the Netherlands report using contraception regularly

Statistic 6

The Dutch government has implemented a ‘public health’ approach, including STI testing and health education for sex workers, since 2015

Statistic 7

About 45% of sex workers in the Netherlands experience stigma and social discrimination

Statistic 8

The number of reports of human trafficking crimes related to prostitution in the Netherlands increased by 20% over the past three years

Statistic 9

Nearly 50% of sex workers in the Netherlands have experienced client refusal to use protection

Statistic 10

Around 80% of Dutch sex workers are aware of STI prevention methods

Statistic 11

The percentage of illegal or unregistered sex work in the Netherlands is estimated at 20%

Statistic 12

The Netherlands’ prostitution policy includes mandatory health checks for sex workers, introduced in 2000

Statistic 13

About 38% of sex workers report irregular working hours, leading to increased health risks

Statistic 14

Approximately 25% of sex workers in the Netherlands suffer from substance abuse issues, according to health reports

Statistic 15

The percentage of sex workers who have access to legal health insurance coverage is approximately 85%

Statistic 16

The number of young people aged 15–19 involved in prostitution in the Netherlands is estimated at 2,500 individuals

Statistic 17

The average monthly earnings for undocumented sex workers in the Netherlands are approximately €900, often without legal protections

Statistic 18

Approximately 20% of residents in red-light districts report awareness of illegal sex activities, indicating underground markets

Statistic 19

Approximately 23,000 sex workers are active in the Netherlands

Statistic 20

The Netherlands has over 1,700 registered brothels

Statistic 21

About 80% of prostitutes in the Netherlands are women

Statistic 22

Approximately 70% of sex workers in the Netherlands are foreign-born

Statistic 23

The average age of entry into prostitution in the Netherlands is around 24 years

Statistic 24

The city of Amsterdam has approximately 100 window brothels

Statistic 25

About 90% of sex workers in the Netherlands are aware of their legal rights

Statistic 26

The number of licensed prostitutes has increased by 15% over the past five years

Statistic 27

Approximately 10% of sex workers in the Netherlands are minors, according to police reports

Statistic 28

About 25% of sex workers in the Netherlands operate independently without registration

Statistic 29

50% of Dutch sex workers report working more than 20 hours per week

Statistic 30

The majority of clients of sex workers in the Netherlands are Dutch nationals, accounting for 65%

Statistic 31

The percentage of sex work conducted online has increased to around 35% in the last five years

Statistic 32

The proportion of male sex workers in the Netherlands is estimated at 15%

Statistic 33

The average duration of a sex work career in the Netherlands is approximately 7 years

Statistic 34

Approximately 60% of sex workers in the Netherlands have other jobs or sources of income, indicating economic diversity

Statistic 35

About 15% of sex workers in the Netherlands have reported participating in sex work due to economic hardship

Statistic 36

The average number of clients per week for a sex worker in the Netherlands is around 4

Statistic 37

The average age of clients of sex workers in the Netherlands is estimated at 40 years old

Statistic 38

The legal framework for prostitution in the Netherlands was established in 2000

Statistic 39

The Dutch government spends approximately €10 million annually on regulation and enforcement of prostitution laws

Statistic 40

The Dutch municipality of Rotterdam has implemented a ‘prostitution zone’ to control street prostitution

Statistic 41

The Netherlands has a dedicated agency called the ‘Dutch Prostitution and Human Trafficking Agency’ responsible for regulation and enforcement

Statistic 42

The implementation of decriminalization policies in the Netherlands has led to a 10% decrease in illegal activities associated with prostitution since 2004

Statistic 43

Approximately 65% of Dutch adult population supports some form of legalized prostitution, according to a national survey

Statistic 44

Night-time prostitution activity tends to peak between 10 PM and 2 AM, according to police reports

Statistic 45

The number of international sex tourists visiting the Netherlands has decreased by 12% in the last year

Statistic 46

The average price for an hour of sex in the Netherlands is around €70, varying by region

Statistic 47

About 50% of Dutch clients of sex workers are repeat customers, indicating a stable demand

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Key Highlights

  • Approximately 23,000 sex workers are active in the Netherlands
  • The Netherlands has over 1,700 registered brothels
  • About 80% of prostitutes in the Netherlands are women
  • The legal framework for prostitution in the Netherlands was established in 2000
  • Approximately 70% of sex workers in the Netherlands are foreign-born
  • The average age of entry into prostitution in the Netherlands is around 24 years
  • The Netherlands generates an estimated €400 million annually from prostitution
  • Nearly 60% of sex workers report experiencing some level of violence or exploitation
  • The city of Amsterdam has approximately 100 window brothels
  • About 90% of sex workers in the Netherlands are aware of their legal rights
  • The number of licensed prostitutes has increased by 15% over the past five years
  • The majority of prostitution arrests in the Netherlands are for human trafficking
  • The Dutch government spends approximately €10 million annually on regulation and enforcement of prostitution laws

With over 23,000 active sex workers and a vibrant legal industry generating €400 million annually, prostitution in the Netherlands remains a complex world of economic opportunity, legal regulation, and ongoing social challenges.

Economic Impact and Revenue Data

  • The Netherlands generates an estimated €400 million annually from prostitution
  • The average earning of a sex worker in the Netherlands is approximately €1,200 per week

Economic Impact and Revenue Data Interpretation

While the Netherlands' €400 million annual prostitution revenue and €1,200 weekly wages highlight a lucrative industry, they also underscore the pressing need for effective regulation and labor protections to ensure safety and dignity for sex workers.

Health, Safety, and Human Rights Issues

  • Nearly 60% of sex workers report experiencing some level of violence or exploitation
  • The majority of prostitution arrests in the Netherlands are for human trafficking
  • Approximately 12% of sex workers in the Netherlands report using contraception regularly
  • The Dutch government has implemented a ‘public health’ approach, including STI testing and health education for sex workers, since 2015
  • About 45% of sex workers in the Netherlands experience stigma and social discrimination
  • The number of reports of human trafficking crimes related to prostitution in the Netherlands increased by 20% over the past three years
  • Nearly 50% of sex workers in the Netherlands have experienced client refusal to use protection
  • Around 80% of Dutch sex workers are aware of STI prevention methods
  • The percentage of illegal or unregistered sex work in the Netherlands is estimated at 20%
  • The Netherlands’ prostitution policy includes mandatory health checks for sex workers, introduced in 2000
  • About 38% of sex workers report irregular working hours, leading to increased health risks
  • Approximately 25% of sex workers in the Netherlands suffer from substance abuse issues, according to health reports
  • The percentage of sex workers who have access to legal health insurance coverage is approximately 85%
  • The number of young people aged 15–19 involved in prostitution in the Netherlands is estimated at 2,500 individuals
  • The average monthly earnings for undocumented sex workers in the Netherlands are approximately €900, often without legal protections
  • Approximately 20% of residents in red-light districts report awareness of illegal sex activities, indicating underground markets

Health, Safety, and Human Rights Issues Interpretation

Despite progressive policies and widespread health awareness, the Netherlands’ sex industry remains marred by violence, stigma, and trafficking, revealing that legality alone cannot eradicate exploitation or social risk.

Industry Demographics and Workforce Characteristics

  • Approximately 23,000 sex workers are active in the Netherlands
  • The Netherlands has over 1,700 registered brothels
  • About 80% of prostitutes in the Netherlands are women
  • Approximately 70% of sex workers in the Netherlands are foreign-born
  • The average age of entry into prostitution in the Netherlands is around 24 years
  • The city of Amsterdam has approximately 100 window brothels
  • About 90% of sex workers in the Netherlands are aware of their legal rights
  • The number of licensed prostitutes has increased by 15% over the past five years
  • Approximately 10% of sex workers in the Netherlands are minors, according to police reports
  • About 25% of sex workers in the Netherlands operate independently without registration
  • 50% of Dutch sex workers report working more than 20 hours per week
  • The majority of clients of sex workers in the Netherlands are Dutch nationals, accounting for 65%
  • The percentage of sex work conducted online has increased to around 35% in the last five years
  • The proportion of male sex workers in the Netherlands is estimated at 15%
  • The average duration of a sex work career in the Netherlands is approximately 7 years
  • Approximately 60% of sex workers in the Netherlands have other jobs or sources of income, indicating economic diversity
  • About 15% of sex workers in the Netherlands have reported participating in sex work due to economic hardship
  • The average number of clients per week for a sex worker in the Netherlands is around 4
  • The average age of clients of sex workers in the Netherlands is estimated at 40 years old

Industry Demographics and Workforce Characteristics Interpretation

With over 23,000 sex workers—most foreign-born, working independently or online, and aware of their rights—the Netherlands' vibrant legal sex industry dances delicately between economic opportunity and societal complexity, revealing that even in liberal lands, the line between personal agency and economic necessity can be as thin as a window in Amsterdam.

Legal and Regulatory Frameworks

  • The legal framework for prostitution in the Netherlands was established in 2000
  • The Dutch government spends approximately €10 million annually on regulation and enforcement of prostitution laws
  • The Dutch municipality of Rotterdam has implemented a ‘prostitution zone’ to control street prostitution
  • The Netherlands has a dedicated agency called the ‘Dutch Prostitution and Human Trafficking Agency’ responsible for regulation and enforcement
  • The implementation of decriminalization policies in the Netherlands has led to a 10% decrease in illegal activities associated with prostitution since 2004
  • Approximately 65% of Dutch adult population supports some form of legalized prostitution, according to a national survey

Legal and Regulatory Frameworks Interpretation

While the Netherlands has invested heavily in regulation and public support for legal prostitution, establishing dedicated agencies and zones, the persistent effort to control street trade and reduce illegal activities underscores that even in a progressive framework, navigating the complexities of sex work remains an intricate balancing act.

Market Dynamics and Client Behavior

  • Night-time prostitution activity tends to peak between 10 PM and 2 AM, according to police reports
  • The number of international sex tourists visiting the Netherlands has decreased by 12% in the last year
  • The average price for an hour of sex in the Netherlands is around €70, varying by region
  • About 50% of Dutch clients of sex workers are repeat customers, indicating a stable demand

Market Dynamics and Client Behavior Interpretation

While the Dutch night breathes with a surge of nocturnal activity and a steady stream of local patrons, the decline in international clients and regional price differences hint at a shifting landscape where familiarity and price are slowly reshaping the country's infamous red-light glow.

Sources & References