GITNUXREPORT 2026

Prostitution Worldwide Statistics

Millions work in prostitution globally, facing violence and health risks.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2022, sex work generated an estimated $180 billion annually globally, equivalent to about 1-2% of world GDP.

Statistic 2

Sex trafficking generates $99 billion in illegal profits annually, much from prostitution.

Statistic 3

Prostitution contributes $14 billion to Nevada's economy annually.

Statistic 4

Global sex industry revenue reached $186 billion in 2019 pre-pandemic.

Statistic 5

Pimps take 50-70% of earnings from street prostitutes in the US.

Statistic 6

Online platforms facilitate 70% of prostitution transactions in Europe.

Statistic 7

Sex tourism generates $1 billion yearly in Thailand.

Statistic 8

Brothel owners in Germany pay €100,000+ in taxes per worker annually.

Statistic 9

Escort services average $300/hour in the US, $100 in developing countries.

Statistic 10

In Australia, legal sex work industry worth AUD 6 billion yearly.

Statistic 11

Street prostitution earns $50-100/day, brothels $200+.

Statistic 12

Online sex ads increased 70% during lockdowns.

Statistic 13

Sex robots projected to reduce demand by 10-20% by 2030.

Statistic 14

Escort agencies charge 40-60% commission.

Statistic 15

Webcam sex work grew 300% since 2015.

Statistic 16

Crypto payments in sex work up 50% in 2022.

Statistic 17

OnlyFans payouts to sex creators $5 billion in 2021.

Statistic 18

Streetwalkers average 5 clients/day at $20 each.

Statistic 19

High-end escorts charge $1,000+/hour in Dubai.

Statistic 20

Massage parlors generate $2.5 billion in US.

Statistic 21

Gig economy apps like Uber enable mobile prostitution.

Statistic 22

Virtual reality porn impacts demand by 15%.

Statistic 23

Approximately 40-42 million people are engaged in prostitution worldwide, with the majority being women.

Statistic 24

Thailand has an estimated 250,000-300,000 sex workers, primarily in Bangkok and Pattaya.

Statistic 25

India has over 3 million sex workers, with Mumbai's red-light district hosting 100,000.

Statistic 26

Brazil estimates 500,000-1 million prostitutes, concentrated in urban areas.

Statistic 27

China has 4-10 million sex workers despite illegality.

Statistic 28

Russia estimates 1-1.5 million prostitutes post-Soviet collapse.

Statistic 29

Philippines has 500,000 sex workers, many in Angeles City.

Statistic 30

Mexico has 400,000-500,000 sex workers across 50 zones of tolerance.

Statistic 31

South Africa has 120,000-167,000 sex workers amid HIV crisis.

Statistic 32

Nigeria has 50,000-100,000 sex workers, many trafficked to Europe.

Statistic 33

Indonesia estimates 226,000 sex workers, mostly in Jakarta.

Statistic 34

Latin America has 1.5 million sex workers total.

Statistic 35

Vietnam has 100,000 sex workers post-Doi Moi reforms.

Statistic 36

Colombia has 120,000 sex workers, legal in designated zones.

Statistic 37

Turkey estimates 100,000 licensed prostitutes.

Statistic 38

Kenya has 300,000 sex workers along truck routes.

Statistic 39

Bangladesh has 100,000 sex workers in 20 brothels.

Statistic 40

Pakistan has 200,000 sex workers in Heera Mandi.

Statistic 41

Egypt has underground 250,000 sex workers.

Statistic 42

Morocco has 50,000 sex workers despite ban.

Statistic 43

Algeria prohibits but 40,000 active sex workers.

Statistic 44

Tunisia has 8,000 registered prostitutes in state brothels.

Statistic 45

Lebanon has 6,000 registered Syrian sex workers.

Statistic 46

HIV prevalence among female sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa averages 36%, over 10 times the general population rate.

Statistic 47

68% of sex workers report experiencing physical violence from clients.

Statistic 48

Condom use among sex workers dropped to 72% in low-income countries due to COVID-19.

Statistic 49

50% of female sex workers have at least one STI, including syphilis and gonorrhea.

Statistic 50

Tuberculosis rates among sex workers are 5-10 times higher than general population.

Statistic 51

1 in 4 sex workers report rape by clients weekly.

Statistic 52

Hepatitis C prevalence among injecting sex workers is 40-60%.

Statistic 53

Mental health disorders affect 60% of sex workers, including PTSD at 45%.

Statistic 54

90% of sex workers avoid health services due to stigma.

Statistic 55

Murder rate for sex workers is 17x higher than average women.

Statistic 56

Drug use among sex workers is 25-50% higher.

Statistic 57

Chlamydia rates 10x higher in sex workers.

Statistic 58

Suicide attempt rates 40% among sex workers.

Statistic 59

HPV vaccination coverage only 20% in sex workers.

Statistic 60

Osteoporosis risk 2x higher from chronic stress.

Statistic 61

55% report client condom refusal.

Statistic 62

Femicide rate 12x higher for sex workers.

Statistic 63

Alcohol dependency 30% in sex workers.

Statistic 64

40% have untreated depression.

Statistic 65

Gonorrhea resistance 25% in sex worker populations.

Statistic 66

70% report harassment by police.

Statistic 67

Breast cancer screening 30% lower due to stigma.

Statistic 68

Prostitution is legal in 5 countries worldwide (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Greece) with regulated brothels.

Statistic 69

In Nevada, USA, legal brothels collect over $35 million in taxes yearly from prostitution.

Statistic 70

82 countries criminalize the sale of sex, affecting 1.3 billion people.

Statistic 71

Only 12 countries have full legalization of prostitution with labor protections.

Statistic 72

Nordic model adopted by 11 countries, criminalizing buyers only.

Statistic 73

Prostitution decriminalized in New Zealand since 2003, increasing safety reports.

Statistic 74

49 countries have legalized brothels in some form.

Statistic 75

Belgium legalized prostitution in 2022, registering 2,000 workers initially.

Statistic 76

Switzerland has 30 licensed parlours with 5,000 prostitutes.

Statistic 77

Canada criminalizes purchase of sex since 2014 (Bill C-36).

Statistic 78

Pimping is legal in 20 countries if consensual.

Statistic 79

Greece legalized in 1999 but unregistered workers common.

Statistic 80

Netherlands has 30,000 sex workers, 80% foreign.

Statistic 81

Ireland adopted Nordic model in 2017.

Statistic 82

Austria has regulated brothels since 1975.

Statistic 83

Luxembourg legalized in 2019 with health checks.

Statistic 84

Spain tolerates prostitution but bans brothels.

Statistic 85

France criminalized clients in 2016.

Statistic 86

Italy fines clients up to €1,000 since 1958 law.

Statistic 87

Sweden reduced street prostitution 50% post-1999 law.

Statistic 88

Denmark has window prostitution in Copenhagen.

Statistic 89

Portugal decriminalized in 2001, stabilizing numbers.

Statistic 90

80% of prostitutes worldwide are women, 15% men, and 5% transgender.

Statistic 91

71% of prostitutes enter the trade before age 18 globally.

Statistic 92

45% of sex workers are mothers, often supporting children through the trade.

Statistic 93

60% of sex trafficking victims are under 18, mostly girls forced into prostitution.

Statistic 94

30% of prostitutes are migrants, often undocumented.

Statistic 95

25% of sex workers identify as LGBTQ+, facing higher violence.

Statistic 96

Average age of entry into prostitution is 16 years old globally.

Statistic 97

50% of prostitutes come from low-income or dysfunctional families.

Statistic 98

Transgender sex workers earn 20-50% more but face 2x violence.

Statistic 99

Child prostitution involves 2 million minors worldwide.

Statistic 100

40% of sex workers are over 30 years old.

Statistic 101

75% of sex workers want to exit but lack alternatives.

Statistic 102

35% of prostitutes are single parents.

Statistic 103

20% of sex workers have college education.

Statistic 104

Male sex workers serve 20-30% female clients.

Statistic 105

15% of prostitutes are students funding education.

Statistic 106

Elderly sex workers (50+) comprise 10%.

Statistic 107

65% of sex workers experienced childhood abuse.

Statistic 108

Indigenous women 10x more likely in Canadian sex trade.

Statistic 109

Disabled sex workers 5% of total, underserved.

Statistic 110

Rural sex workers 20% of total, often seasonal.

Statistic 111

Refugee women 15% enter sex work in host countries.

Statistic 112

10% of sex workers are retirees supplementing income.

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Sources

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Hidden in plain sight, a staggering global industry built on the bodies of millions—overwhelmingly women and girls—generates nearly two hundred billion dollars a year, a sum shadowed by a devastating toll of violence, disease, and exploitation that these statistics reveal.

Key Takeaways

Approximately 40-42 million people are engaged in prostitution worldwide, with the majority being women.
Thailand has an estimated 250,000-300,000 sex workers, primarily in Bangkok and Pattaya.
India has over 3 million sex workers, with Mumbai's red-light district hosting 100,000.
In 2022, sex work generated an estimated $180 billion annually globally, equivalent to about 1-2% of world GDP.
Sex trafficking generates $99 billion in illegal profits annually, much from prostitution.
Prostitution contributes $14 billion to Nevada's economy annually.
HIV prevalence among female sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa averages 36%, over 10 times the general population rate.
68% of sex workers report experiencing physical violence from clients.
Condom use among sex workers dropped to 72% in low-income countries due to COVID-19.
Prostitution is legal in 5 countries worldwide (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Greece) with regulated brothels.
In Nevada, USA, legal brothels collect over $35 million in taxes yearly from prostitution.
82 countries criminalize the sale of sex, affecting 1.3 billion people.
80% of prostitutes worldwide are women, 15% men, and 5% transgender.
71% of prostitutes enter the trade before age 18 globally.
45% of sex workers are mothers, often supporting children through the trade.

Millions work in prostitution globally, facing violence and health risks.

Economic Impact

In 2022, sex work generated an estimated $180 billion annually globally, equivalent to about 1-2% of world GDP.
Sex trafficking generates $99 billion in illegal profits annually, much from prostitution.
Prostitution contributes $14 billion to Nevada's economy annually.
Global sex industry revenue reached $186 billion in 2019 pre-pandemic.
Pimps take 50-70% of earnings from street prostitutes in the US.
Online platforms facilitate 70% of prostitution transactions in Europe.
Sex tourism generates $1 billion yearly in Thailand.
Brothel owners in Germany pay €100,000+ in taxes per worker annually.
Escort services average $300/hour in the US, $100 in developing countries.
In Australia, legal sex work industry worth AUD 6 billion yearly.
Street prostitution earns $50-100/day, brothels $200+.
Online sex ads increased 70% during lockdowns.
Sex robots projected to reduce demand by 10-20% by 2030.
Escort agencies charge 40-60% commission.
Webcam sex work grew 300% since 2015.
Crypto payments in sex work up 50% in 2022.
OnlyFans payouts to sex creators $5 billion in 2021.
Streetwalkers average 5 clients/day at $20 each.
High-end escorts charge $1,000+/hour in Dubai.
Massage parlors generate $2.5 billion in US.
Gig economy apps like Uber enable mobile prostitution.
Virtual reality porn impacts demand by 15%.

Economic Impact Interpretation

Here is a witty but serious one-sentence interpretation of the statistics: The global sex industry reveals a starkly efficient, if morally fraught, economic engine, where a high tech gig economy of online platforms and crypto payments fuels a shadow market still propped up by the grim arithmetic of pimps taking most of a streetwalker's hundred dollars a day.

Global Prevalence

Approximately 40-42 million people are engaged in prostitution worldwide, with the majority being women.
Thailand has an estimated 250,000-300,000 sex workers, primarily in Bangkok and Pattaya.
India has over 3 million sex workers, with Mumbai's red-light district hosting 100,000.
Brazil estimates 500,000-1 million prostitutes, concentrated in urban areas.
China has 4-10 million sex workers despite illegality.
Russia estimates 1-1.5 million prostitutes post-Soviet collapse.
Philippines has 500,000 sex workers, many in Angeles City.
Mexico has 400,000-500,000 sex workers across 50 zones of tolerance.
South Africa has 120,000-167,000 sex workers amid HIV crisis.
Nigeria has 50,000-100,000 sex workers, many trafficked to Europe.
Indonesia estimates 226,000 sex workers, mostly in Jakarta.
Latin America has 1.5 million sex workers total.
Vietnam has 100,000 sex workers post-Doi Moi reforms.
Colombia has 120,000 sex workers, legal in designated zones.
Turkey estimates 100,000 licensed prostitutes.
Kenya has 300,000 sex workers along truck routes.
Bangladesh has 100,000 sex workers in 20 brothels.
Pakistan has 200,000 sex workers in Heera Mandi.
Egypt has underground 250,000 sex workers.
Morocco has 50,000 sex workers despite ban.
Algeria prohibits but 40,000 active sex workers.
Tunisia has 8,000 registered prostitutes in state brothels.
Lebanon has 6,000 registered Syrian sex workers.

Global Prevalence Interpretation

This staggering global total, where women bear the overwhelming burden, reveals a grim marketplace of desperation flourishing under conditions of poverty, inequality, and failed policies—proving that demand, unlike morality, never faces a recession.

Health Risks

HIV prevalence among female sex workers in sub-Saharan Africa averages 36%, over 10 times the general population rate.
68% of sex workers report experiencing physical violence from clients.
Condom use among sex workers dropped to 72% in low-income countries due to COVID-19.
50% of female sex workers have at least one STI, including syphilis and gonorrhea.
Tuberculosis rates among sex workers are 5-10 times higher than general population.
1 in 4 sex workers report rape by clients weekly.
Hepatitis C prevalence among injecting sex workers is 40-60%.
Mental health disorders affect 60% of sex workers, including PTSD at 45%.
90% of sex workers avoid health services due to stigma.
Murder rate for sex workers is 17x higher than average women.
Drug use among sex workers is 25-50% higher.
Chlamydia rates 10x higher in sex workers.
Suicide attempt rates 40% among sex workers.
HPV vaccination coverage only 20% in sex workers.
Osteoporosis risk 2x higher from chronic stress.
55% report client condom refusal.
Femicide rate 12x higher for sex workers.
Alcohol dependency 30% in sex workers.
40% have untreated depression.
Gonorrhea resistance 25% in sex worker populations.
70% report harassment by police.
Breast cancer screening 30% lower due to stigma.

Health Risks Interpretation

These statistics paint not a picture of individual choice, but of a global failure that systematically trades the health and lives of marginalized women for society's silent complicity.

Legal Status

Prostitution is legal in 5 countries worldwide (Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Greece) with regulated brothels.
In Nevada, USA, legal brothels collect over $35 million in taxes yearly from prostitution.
82 countries criminalize the sale of sex, affecting 1.3 billion people.
Only 12 countries have full legalization of prostitution with labor protections.
Nordic model adopted by 11 countries, criminalizing buyers only.
Prostitution decriminalized in New Zealand since 2003, increasing safety reports.
49 countries have legalized brothels in some form.
Belgium legalized prostitution in 2022, registering 2,000 workers initially.
Switzerland has 30 licensed parlours with 5,000 prostitutes.
Canada criminalizes purchase of sex since 2014 (Bill C-36).
Pimping is legal in 20 countries if consensual.
Greece legalized in 1999 but unregistered workers common.
Netherlands has 30,000 sex workers, 80% foreign.
Ireland adopted Nordic model in 2017.
Austria has regulated brothels since 1975.
Luxembourg legalized in 2019 with health checks.
Spain tolerates prostitution but bans brothels.
France criminalized clients in 2016.
Italy fines clients up to €1,000 since 1958 law.
Sweden reduced street prostitution 50% post-1999 law.
Denmark has window prostitution in Copenhagen.
Portugal decriminalized in 2001, stabilizing numbers.

Legal Status Interpretation

While a patchwork of legality offers some workers protection and a lucrative tax stream in rare corners like Nevada, the overwhelming global reality is that 1.3 billion people live under criminalization, proving that the world remains profoundly conflicted on whether to punish, protect, or profit from the world's oldest profession.

Victim Demographics

80% of prostitutes worldwide are women, 15% men, and 5% transgender.
71% of prostitutes enter the trade before age 18 globally.
45% of sex workers are mothers, often supporting children through the trade.
60% of sex trafficking victims are under 18, mostly girls forced into prostitution.
30% of prostitutes are migrants, often undocumented.
25% of sex workers identify as LGBTQ+, facing higher violence.
Average age of entry into prostitution is 16 years old globally.
50% of prostitutes come from low-income or dysfunctional families.
Transgender sex workers earn 20-50% more but face 2x violence.
Child prostitution involves 2 million minors worldwide.
40% of sex workers are over 30 years old.
75% of sex workers want to exit but lack alternatives.
35% of prostitutes are single parents.
20% of sex workers have college education.
Male sex workers serve 20-30% female clients.
15% of prostitutes are students funding education.
Elderly sex workers (50+) comprise 10%.
65% of sex workers experienced childhood abuse.
Indigenous women 10x more likely in Canadian sex trade.
Disabled sex workers 5% of total, underserved.
Rural sex workers 20% of total, often seasonal.
Refugee women 15% enter sex work in host countries.
10% of sex workers are retirees supplementing income.

Victim Demographics Interpretation

This bleak mosaic of coercion and precarity shows that the world's oldest profession is, in fact, the world's oldest exploitation, where the most vulnerable are forced to pay the highest price for the failures of society.

Sources & References

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