GITNUXREPORT 2025

Prostitution Money Statistics

Global sex industry earns trillions, fueling trafficking, coercion, and exploitation globally.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average age of women entering the sex trade in Western Europe is around 20 years old

Statistic 2

The majority of prostitutes in urban South African settings are women, making up over 80% of the sex trade workforce

Statistic 3

The average payout for a single sex act in Brazil is approximately R$150 ($30 USD), in urban areas

Statistic 4

The average earning of a female sex worker in Egypt is approximately $50 per day, but varies widely by region and legality

Statistic 5

The average amount spent per client in the Italian strip clubs is roughly €80, with some in high-demand areas earning significantly more

Statistic 6

The majority of clients seeking paid sex in Australia are men aged 30-50, with an average expenditure of AUD 150 per session

Statistic 7

The global estimated revenue from the commercial sex industry ranges from $186 billion to $293 billion annually

Statistic 8

In the United States, prostitution generates an estimated $1 billion annually

Statistic 9

In Thailand, sex work accounts for about 30% of the country's tourism revenue

Statistic 10

The average amount spent by clients per session in North America is approximately $70

Statistic 11

The global demand for paid sex creates an estimated $3.5 billion per year market

Statistic 12

Sex trafficking revenues account for over $150 billion globally each year

Statistic 13

In Germany, prostitution is legal and regulated, generating an estimated €4.2 billion annually

Statistic 14

Sex workers in the Philippines occupy a significant segment of the local economy, with estimated earnings of about 10 billion pesos annually

Statistic 15

The global sex industry is estimated to be worth over $100 billion, making it one of the most profitable illicit industries worldwide

Statistic 16

In the Netherlands, legalized prostitution generates approximately €1.1 billion annually, with taxes contributing to public funds

Statistic 17

Client expenditure on illegal sex services in the UK exceeds £1 billion annually

Statistic 18

The urban prostitution scene in Tokyo earns an estimated $1 billion annually, largely in cash transactions

Statistic 19

In New South Wales, Australia, the legal sex industry generates approximately AUD 300 million annually, with the majority from licensed brothels

Statistic 20

In Colombia, sex tourism accounts for a significant portion of revenue in certain regions, with foreign visitors spending an average of $600 per trip

Statistic 21

In some parts of Eastern Europe, sex workers charge approximately €30-€50 per session, with monthly earnings of around €300, depending on location and client base

Statistic 22

In Hong Kong, licensed brothels generate roughly HKD 2 billion annually, with taxes contributing to public revenue

Statistic 23

Estimates suggest that the illegal sex industry in Russia generates about $1.3 billion annually, especially in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg

Statistic 24

In South Korea, the legal prostitution market generates an estimated $2 billion annually, with a significant part of it underground

Statistic 25

The revenue from online escort services in the United States alone exceeds $500 million annually

Statistic 26

In Mexico, sex tourism is a significant industry in border cities, with visitors spending up to $1,200 per trip

Statistic 27

The average annual income for an escort in Los Angeles is approximately $65,000, according to industry reports

Statistic 28

In Spain, sex work is decriminalized, and the industry is estimated to generate over €2 billion annually

Statistic 29

In Vietnam, the underground sex industry is estimated to be worth around $500 million annually, with many women working due to economic hardship

Statistic 30

In Pakistan, women working in the sex trade often earn less than $20 a day, but some supplement income through other informal work

Statistic 31

In Sweden, sex work is decriminalized, and the industry is estimated to generate roughly €300 million per year, with a focus on harm reduction

Statistic 32

The total revenue generated from illegal sex work in India is estimated at around $5 billion annually, with a significant portion in urban centers

Statistic 33

In South Africa, the illegal sex industry is estimated to generate about R800 million annually, with many women working in informal settings

Statistic 34

The underground sex industry in Greece is estimated to generate over €1 billion annually, primarily catering to tourists and expatriates

Statistic 35

In Cambodia, the sex trade is a significant part of the economy, with estimated revenues of over $200 million per year

Statistic 36

The global sex trafficking industry is estimated to generate over $32 billion annually, making it one of the most profitable illegal enterprises

Statistic 37

In Peru, sex tourism, especially in Machu Picchu region, generates an estimated $50 million annually, primarily from foreign visitors

Statistic 38

In Ukraine, many women turn to sex work due to economic hardship, earning between $10 and $50 per client, with total industry values estimated at over $600 million annually

Statistic 39

The number of online-only sex workers in the United States has increased by approximately 25% over the past five years, with online services generating hundreds of millions in revenue annually

Statistic 40

In Italy, the average fee for a sex act in licensed brothels is around €70, with higher fees in high-demand cities

Statistic 41

In urban China, sex work is illegal but estimated to generate revenues of approximately $7 billion annually, largely in cash transactions

Statistic 42

The average charge per sex work encounter in the Philippines is about 500 pesos ($10 USD), with variation depending on the location

Statistic 43

Approximately 1 million people are trafficked worldwide annually for commercial sexual exploitation

Statistic 44

The average monthly earning of a street prostitute is about $200 in the United States

Statistic 45

The median age of entry into prostitution in many countries is between 12 and 16 years old

Statistic 46

It is estimated that 70% of prostitutes are sustained by drug dependency

Statistic 47

The United Nations estimates that 30% of individuals in prostitution are victims of coercion or force

Statistic 48

About 50,000 women and children are trafficked annually into the EU for sexual exploitation

Statistic 49

In Nigeria, sex work is a significant income source, with some women earning $30 to $50 per day

Statistic 50

The average monthly income of sex workers in Kolkata, India, ranges from $25 to $50, depending on the type of sex work

Statistic 51

Trafficked women and girls account for about 80% of victims identified in European sex trafficking cases

Statistic 52

In India, the illegal sex trade is worth approximately $8 billion annually, with most clients from higher socioeconomic classes

Statistic 53

Studies estimate that about 15-20% of all sex workers in the United States are in the country illegally, often coerced into work

Statistic 54

A survey in parts of Eastern Europe shows that street-based prostitutes earn roughly €10-€20 per client, with weekly earnings around €100

Statistic 55

The U.S. Department of State estimates that more than 50,000 individuals are trafficked into the U.S. annually for sex, with many earning between $200 and $1,000 per client

Statistic 56

About 60% of sex workers globally face violence and harassment, which often prevents them from seeking help

Statistic 57

An estimated 78% of victims of sex trafficking globally are women and girls, often exploited for commercial sex

Statistic 58

Approximately 45% of sex workers in Brazil are migrants from neighboring countries, often facing legal and social barriers

Statistic 59

The average fee for a sex act in Turkey is approximately 200 TRY ($11 USD), with variations based on location and clientele

Statistic 60

The average income of sex workers in Bangladesh is around $50 per month, often insufficient for basic needs, with many entering due to poverty

Statistic 61

The average charge per hour for a sex worker in Vancouver, Canada, is approximately CAD 150 ($120 USD), depending on services offered

Statistic 62

About 65% of sex workers in Mexico are women, with a growing number of minors trafficked for commercial sex

Statistic 63

Estimates suggest that about 85% of victims trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation globally are women and girls

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Key Highlights

The global estimated revenue from the commercial sex industry ranges from $186 billion to $293 billion annually
In the United States, prostitution generates an estimated $1 billion annually
Approximately 1 million people are trafficked worldwide annually for commercial sexual exploitation
The average monthly earning of a street prostitute is about $200 in the United States
In Thailand, sex work accounts for about 30% of the country's tourism revenue
The median age of entry into prostitution in many countries is between 12 and 16 years old
It is estimated that 70% of prostitutes are sustained by drug dependency
The average amount spent by clients per session in North America is approximately $70
The global demand for paid sex creates an estimated $3.5 billion per year market
Sex trafficking revenues account for over $150 billion globally each year
The United Nations estimates that 30% of individuals in prostitution are victims of coercion or force
In Germany, prostitution is legal and regulated, generating an estimated €4.2 billion annually
About 50,000 women and children are trafficked annually into the EU for sexual exploitation

The staggering scale of the global sex industry, generating hundreds of billions annually, reveals a dark economy fueled by exploitation, coercion, and widespread demand for paid sex.

Demographics and Client Profiles

The average age of women entering the sex trade in Western Europe is around 20 years old
The majority of prostitutes in urban South African settings are women, making up over 80% of the sex trade workforce
The average payout for a single sex act in Brazil is approximately R$150 ($30 USD), in urban areas
The average earning of a female sex worker in Egypt is approximately $50 per day, but varies widely by region and legality
The average amount spent per client in the Italian strip clubs is roughly €80, with some in high-demand areas earning significantly more
The majority of clients seeking paid sex in Australia are men aged 30-50, with an average expenditure of AUD 150 per session

Demographics and Client Profiles Interpretation

These statistics reveal a complex mosaic where youth, gender disparities, regional economic conditions, legal landscapes, and consumer age groups all coalesce, underscore the persistent economic dependence and societal inequalities that underpin the global sex trade.

Economic Impact and Revenue

The global estimated revenue from the commercial sex industry ranges from $186 billion to $293 billion annually
In the United States, prostitution generates an estimated $1 billion annually
In Thailand, sex work accounts for about 30% of the country's tourism revenue
The average amount spent by clients per session in North America is approximately $70
The global demand for paid sex creates an estimated $3.5 billion per year market
Sex trafficking revenues account for over $150 billion globally each year
In Germany, prostitution is legal and regulated, generating an estimated €4.2 billion annually
Sex workers in the Philippines occupy a significant segment of the local economy, with estimated earnings of about 10 billion pesos annually
The global sex industry is estimated to be worth over $100 billion, making it one of the most profitable illicit industries worldwide
In the Netherlands, legalized prostitution generates approximately €1.1 billion annually, with taxes contributing to public funds
Client expenditure on illegal sex services in the UK exceeds £1 billion annually
The urban prostitution scene in Tokyo earns an estimated $1 billion annually, largely in cash transactions
In New South Wales, Australia, the legal sex industry generates approximately AUD 300 million annually, with the majority from licensed brothels
In Colombia, sex tourism accounts for a significant portion of revenue in certain regions, with foreign visitors spending an average of $600 per trip
In some parts of Eastern Europe, sex workers charge approximately €30-€50 per session, with monthly earnings of around €300, depending on location and client base
In Hong Kong, licensed brothels generate roughly HKD 2 billion annually, with taxes contributing to public revenue
Estimates suggest that the illegal sex industry in Russia generates about $1.3 billion annually, especially in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg
In South Korea, the legal prostitution market generates an estimated $2 billion annually, with a significant part of it underground
The revenue from online escort services in the United States alone exceeds $500 million annually
In Mexico, sex tourism is a significant industry in border cities, with visitors spending up to $1,200 per trip
The average annual income for an escort in Los Angeles is approximately $65,000, according to industry reports
In Spain, sex work is decriminalized, and the industry is estimated to generate over €2 billion annually
In Vietnam, the underground sex industry is estimated to be worth around $500 million annually, with many women working due to economic hardship
In Pakistan, women working in the sex trade often earn less than $20 a day, but some supplement income through other informal work
In Sweden, sex work is decriminalized, and the industry is estimated to generate roughly €300 million per year, with a focus on harm reduction
The total revenue generated from illegal sex work in India is estimated at around $5 billion annually, with a significant portion in urban centers
In South Africa, the illegal sex industry is estimated to generate about R800 million annually, with many women working in informal settings
The underground sex industry in Greece is estimated to generate over €1 billion annually, primarily catering to tourists and expatriates
In Cambodia, the sex trade is a significant part of the economy, with estimated revenues of over $200 million per year
The global sex trafficking industry is estimated to generate over $32 billion annually, making it one of the most profitable illegal enterprises
In Peru, sex tourism, especially in Machu Picchu region, generates an estimated $50 million annually, primarily from foreign visitors
In Ukraine, many women turn to sex work due to economic hardship, earning between $10 and $50 per client, with total industry values estimated at over $600 million annually
The number of online-only sex workers in the United States has increased by approximately 25% over the past five years, with online services generating hundreds of millions in revenue annually
In Italy, the average fee for a sex act in licensed brothels is around €70, with higher fees in high-demand cities
In urban China, sex work is illegal but estimated to generate revenues of approximately $7 billion annually, largely in cash transactions

Economic Impact and Revenue Interpretation

Despite its clandestine and often contentious nature, the global sex industry is a staggering financial powerhouse—generating hundreds of billions annually—highlighting that whether legalized, taxed, or hidden in the shadows, it remains an undeniable economic force shaping societies and border economies worldwide.

Geographical and Cultural Variations

The average charge per sex work encounter in the Philippines is about 500 pesos ($10 USD), with variation depending on the location

Geographical and Cultural Variations Interpretation

While a typical encounter costs just about 500 pesos, or ten bucks, these figures highlight the persistent economic disparities and complex realities underpinning the sex trade in the Philippines.

Prevalence and Trafficking

Approximately 1 million people are trafficked worldwide annually for commercial sexual exploitation
The average monthly earning of a street prostitute is about $200 in the United States
The median age of entry into prostitution in many countries is between 12 and 16 years old
It is estimated that 70% of prostitutes are sustained by drug dependency
The United Nations estimates that 30% of individuals in prostitution are victims of coercion or force
About 50,000 women and children are trafficked annually into the EU for sexual exploitation
In Nigeria, sex work is a significant income source, with some women earning $30 to $50 per day
The average monthly income of sex workers in Kolkata, India, ranges from $25 to $50, depending on the type of sex work
Trafficked women and girls account for about 80% of victims identified in European sex trafficking cases
In India, the illegal sex trade is worth approximately $8 billion annually, with most clients from higher socioeconomic classes
Studies estimate that about 15-20% of all sex workers in the United States are in the country illegally, often coerced into work
A survey in parts of Eastern Europe shows that street-based prostitutes earn roughly €10-€20 per client, with weekly earnings around €100
The U.S. Department of State estimates that more than 50,000 individuals are trafficked into the U.S. annually for sex, with many earning between $200 and $1,000 per client
About 60% of sex workers globally face violence and harassment, which often prevents them from seeking help
An estimated 78% of victims of sex trafficking globally are women and girls, often exploited for commercial sex
Approximately 45% of sex workers in Brazil are migrants from neighboring countries, often facing legal and social barriers
The average fee for a sex act in Turkey is approximately 200 TRY ($11 USD), with variations based on location and clientele
The average income of sex workers in Bangladesh is around $50 per month, often insufficient for basic needs, with many entering due to poverty
The average charge per hour for a sex worker in Vancouver, Canada, is approximately CAD 150 ($120 USD), depending on services offered
About 65% of sex workers in Mexico are women, with a growing number of minors trafficked for commercial sex
Estimates suggest that about 85% of victims trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation globally are women and girls

Prevalence and Trafficking Interpretation

Despite the grim reality that millions are coerced, trafficked, and living in poverty to sustain the global sex industry—where many earn mere dollars per day and nearly 80% face violence—the stark disparities in income, age, and victimization reveal that beneath the veneer of economy lies a human tragedy that demands urgent, comprehensive action.