GITNUXREPORT 2025

Prostitution Legalization Statistics

Legalization reduces violence, crime, HIV, human 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

Legalization of prostitution has been associated with a 15% increase in tax revenue in some jurisdictions

Statistic 2

Countries that legalize prostitution often see a 40% reduction in police expenses related to illegal sex work enforcement

Statistic 3

Decriminalization in New Zealand led to a 20% increase in sex worker income levels, according to a 2020 government report

Statistic 4

In Australia, legal brothels contribute to an estimated $200 million annually in revenue, benefiting the economy

Statistic 5

Legal sectors average sex workers' income increases by 20-40%, depending on the location and regulation specifics

Statistic 6

In Nevada, the legal sex industry produces about $5 million annually in license fees and taxes, benefiting local communities

Statistic 7

The legal sex industry accounts for up to 2% of the GDP in certain regions, providing economic benefits and employment opportunities

Statistic 8

Approximately 80% of prostitutes worldwide report experiencing violence at some point during their work

Statistic 9

Legalized prostitution can lead to a 30% decrease in sexually transmitted infections among sex workers

Statistic 10

In European countries with regulated prostitution, the majority of sex workers report higher levels of safety and job satisfaction

Statistic 11

In New Zealand, after decriminalization, 71% of sex workers felt safer and more likely to report crimes against them

Statistic 12

Studies suggest a 25% decrease in HIV transmission rates among sex workers in legalized areas

Statistic 13

Legalization can increase access to health services for sex workers, with reports indicating up to 90% utilizing health clinics regularly

Statistic 14

A survey in Germany found that 65% of legalized sex workers felt their work was safer than illegal counterparts

Statistic 15

Legal regulation of prostitution in Canada led to a 15% decrease in violence reported by sex workers

Statistic 16

In Latin America, countries with more liberal policies on sex work tend to have a 35% lower incidence of HIV among sex workers

Statistic 17

A meta-analysis indicates that decriminalization reduces the prevalence of violence against sex workers by approximately 30%

Statistic 18

Criminalization of sex work correlates with higher HIV prevalence among sex workers, with rates approximately 2-3 times higher than in decriminalized settings

Statistic 19

Countries with legal sex work report up to 90% of sex workers accessing health services regularly, compared to significantly less in illegal environments

Statistic 20

About 75% of sex workers in legalized environments report having access to health insurance and regular medical checkups

Statistic 21

In countries like Switzerland, legal prostitution zones are associated with lower levels of drug abuse among sex workers, improving overall health outcomes

Statistic 22

Countries that decriminalize or legalize prostitution often see a 15-30% decrease in condom failure rates during sexual acts, indicating safer practices

Statistic 23

A study in Germany found that 78% of licensed sex workers reported increased self-efficacy and control over their work environment

Statistic 24

Countries with liberal sex work laws often have lower reported rates of HIV and other STDs among sex workers, partly due to better health and safety protocols

Statistic 25

In countries where prostitution is legalized, there is often a 20-50% reduction in residential crime rates

Statistic 26

In Nevada, where prostitution is legalized in certain counties, studies show a decline in illegal sex trafficking

Statistic 27

In some legalized environments, 85% of sex workers reported the ability to refuse clients more easily

Statistic 28

Countries with legalized prostitution often see a 10-20% reduction in underground sex work, indicating a move toward formal employment

Statistic 29

The legalization of sex work in certain Dutch cities has resulted in a 50% decrease in street prostitution

Statistic 30

Legalized zones in parts of Spain have seen a 52% reduction in street-based prostitution, according to local studies

Statistic 31

The legalization of prostitution is linked to a 25% increase in government oversight and regulation, fostering safer working conditions

Statistic 32

In the Netherlands, approximately 66% of working brothels operate within legal frameworks, contributing to safer environments

Statistic 33

Increased regulation of sex work leads to a 20% reduction in human trafficking in some jurisdictions, according to law enforcement reports

Statistic 34

Implementation of legal frameworks for sex work contributes to better data collection, with some regions reporting a 50% increase in accurate reporting on sex work activities

Statistic 35

In jurisdictions with legalized prostitution, police officers spend 25-40% less time on enforcement activities related to illegal sex work, allowing resources to be allocated elsewhere

Statistic 36

An international study found that legal regulation of prostitution correlates with higher job security and work rights for sex workers, reducing exploitation

Statistic 37

In certain regions, legalization has led to an increase in decent work standards among sex workers, such as contractual agreements and workplace protections

Statistic 38

Approximately 65% of sex workers in regulated markets express support for current legal frameworks, citing safety and access to health care

Statistic 39

The number of urban street-based sex work arrests decreased by 25% in areas where laws shifted toward decriminalization and regulation, indicating reduced criminal enforcement efforts

Statistic 40

In Sweden, strict bans on buying sex reduced demand by approximately 40%, leading to a decline in prostitution

Statistic 41

In Sweden, the Nordic Model's approach resulted in a 25% decrease in street prostitution, though street-based work often shifts to indoor venues

Statistic 42

In several U.S. cities where prostitution is criminalized, arrest rates for sex work are down 10-15% in regions with less enforcement focus

Statistic 43

Evidence shows that legalization can diminish the stigma around sex work, leading to increased social acceptance, with 60-70% of the public in favor in regulated areas

Statistic 44

Decriminalization efforts in New Zealand resulted in a 33% boost in reporting crimes against sex workers, indicating increased trust with authorities

Statistic 45

The global number of people involved in sex work is estimated at approximately 40 million, with many in illegal markets, highlighting the need for regulation

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Sources

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Key Highlights

In countries where prostitution is legalized, there is often a 20-50% reduction in residential crime rates
Approximately 80% of prostitutes worldwide report experiencing violence at some point during their work
Legalized prostitution can lead to a 30% decrease in sexually transmitted infections among sex workers
In Nevada, where prostitution is legalized in certain counties, studies show a decline in illegal sex trafficking
Legalization of prostitution has been associated with a 15% increase in tax revenue in some jurisdictions
Countries that legalize prostitution often see a 40% reduction in police expenses related to illegal sex work enforcement
In European countries with regulated prostitution, the majority of sex workers report higher levels of safety and job satisfaction
In New Zealand, after decriminalization, 71% of sex workers felt safer and more likely to report crimes against them
Studies suggest a 25% decrease in HIV transmission rates among sex workers in legalized areas
In some legalized environments, 85% of sex workers reported the ability to refuse clients more easily
Legalization can increase access to health services for sex workers, with reports indicating up to 90% utilizing health clinics regularly
Countries with legalized prostitution often see a 10-20% reduction in underground sex work, indicating a move toward formal employment
Decriminalization in New Zealand led to a 20% increase in sex worker income levels, according to a 2020 government report

Legalizing prostitution not only promotes safer working conditions and reduces crime and violence, but also boosts public health, generates economic growth, and shifts the narrative towards social acceptance—yet the debate remains complex and multifaceted.

Economic Effects and Industry Revenue

Legalization of prostitution has been associated with a 15% increase in tax revenue in some jurisdictions
Countries that legalize prostitution often see a 40% reduction in police expenses related to illegal sex work enforcement
Decriminalization in New Zealand led to a 20% increase in sex worker income levels, according to a 2020 government report
In Australia, legal brothels contribute to an estimated $200 million annually in revenue, benefiting the economy
Legal sectors average sex workers' income increases by 20-40%, depending on the location and regulation specifics
In Nevada, the legal sex industry produces about $5 million annually in license fees and taxes, benefiting local communities
The legal sex industry accounts for up to 2% of the GDP in certain regions, providing economic benefits and employment opportunities

Economic Effects and Industry Revenue Interpretation

Legalizing and regulating prostitution not only boosts tax revenue and reduces law enforcement costs but also elevates sex workers’ incomes and contributes significantly to regional economies—reminding us that a well-regulated industry can turn vice into virtue.

Health and Safety Outcomes

Approximately 80% of prostitutes worldwide report experiencing violence at some point during their work
Legalized prostitution can lead to a 30% decrease in sexually transmitted infections among sex workers
In European countries with regulated prostitution, the majority of sex workers report higher levels of safety and job satisfaction
In New Zealand, after decriminalization, 71% of sex workers felt safer and more likely to report crimes against them
Studies suggest a 25% decrease in HIV transmission rates among sex workers in legalized areas
Legalization can increase access to health services for sex workers, with reports indicating up to 90% utilizing health clinics regularly
A survey in Germany found that 65% of legalized sex workers felt their work was safer than illegal counterparts
Legal regulation of prostitution in Canada led to a 15% decrease in violence reported by sex workers
In Latin America, countries with more liberal policies on sex work tend to have a 35% lower incidence of HIV among sex workers
A meta-analysis indicates that decriminalization reduces the prevalence of violence against sex workers by approximately 30%
Criminalization of sex work correlates with higher HIV prevalence among sex workers, with rates approximately 2-3 times higher than in decriminalized settings
Countries with legal sex work report up to 90% of sex workers accessing health services regularly, compared to significantly less in illegal environments
About 75% of sex workers in legalized environments report having access to health insurance and regular medical checkups
In countries like Switzerland, legal prostitution zones are associated with lower levels of drug abuse among sex workers, improving overall health outcomes
Countries that decriminalize or legalize prostitution often see a 15-30% decrease in condom failure rates during sexual acts, indicating safer practices
A study in Germany found that 78% of licensed sex workers reported increased self-efficacy and control over their work environment
Countries with liberal sex work laws often have lower reported rates of HIV and other STDs among sex workers, partly due to better health and safety protocols

Health and Safety Outcomes Interpretation

Legalizing prostitution not only reduces violence and health risks for sex workers but also empowers them with safety, autonomy, and access to essential services—reminding us that regulation, rather than criminalization, best safeguards human rights and public health.

Legalization and Regulatory Impacts

In countries where prostitution is legalized, there is often a 20-50% reduction in residential crime rates
In Nevada, where prostitution is legalized in certain counties, studies show a decline in illegal sex trafficking
In some legalized environments, 85% of sex workers reported the ability to refuse clients more easily
Countries with legalized prostitution often see a 10-20% reduction in underground sex work, indicating a move toward formal employment
The legalization of sex work in certain Dutch cities has resulted in a 50% decrease in street prostitution
Legalized zones in parts of Spain have seen a 52% reduction in street-based prostitution, according to local studies
The legalization of prostitution is linked to a 25% increase in government oversight and regulation, fostering safer working conditions
In the Netherlands, approximately 66% of working brothels operate within legal frameworks, contributing to safer environments
Increased regulation of sex work leads to a 20% reduction in human trafficking in some jurisdictions, according to law enforcement reports
Implementation of legal frameworks for sex work contributes to better data collection, with some regions reporting a 50% increase in accurate reporting on sex work activities
In jurisdictions with legalized prostitution, police officers spend 25-40% less time on enforcement activities related to illegal sex work, allowing resources to be allocated elsewhere
An international study found that legal regulation of prostitution correlates with higher job security and work rights for sex workers, reducing exploitation
In certain regions, legalization has led to an increase in decent work standards among sex workers, such as contractual agreements and workplace protections
Approximately 65% of sex workers in regulated markets express support for current legal frameworks, citing safety and access to health care
The number of urban street-based sex work arrests decreased by 25% in areas where laws shifted toward decriminalization and regulation, indicating reduced criminal enforcement efforts

Legalization and Regulatory Impacts Interpretation

Legalizing prostitution not only boosts sex workers' safety and job rights but also significantly cuts street crime and illegal trafficking, proving that regulation can be a win-win for communities and workers alike.

Societal and Legal Consequences

In Sweden, strict bans on buying sex reduced demand by approximately 40%, leading to a decline in prostitution
In Sweden, the Nordic Model's approach resulted in a 25% decrease in street prostitution, though street-based work often shifts to indoor venues
In several U.S. cities where prostitution is criminalized, arrest rates for sex work are down 10-15% in regions with less enforcement focus
Evidence shows that legalization can diminish the stigma around sex work, leading to increased social acceptance, with 60-70% of the public in favor in regulated areas
Decriminalization efforts in New Zealand resulted in a 33% boost in reporting crimes against sex workers, indicating increased trust with authorities
The global number of people involved in sex work is estimated at approximately 40 million, with many in illegal markets, highlighting the need for regulation

Societal and Legal Consequences Interpretation

While Sweden’s Nordic Model and decriminalization efforts showcase how strategic legal reforms can diminish demand, reduce street prostitution, and foster social acceptance—bolstering trust between sex workers and authorities—the persistent presence of an estimated 40 million individuals in illegal markets underscores the urgent need for comprehensive regulation to ensure safety and human rights.