GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sex Worker Statistics

Legal protections reduce violence, HIV, and improve sex workers’ safety globally.

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

Approximately 0.3% of the global population aged 15-64 has engaged in sex work at some point in their lives

Statistic 2

An estimated 42 million people are victims of sex trafficking globally

Statistic 3

The median age of entry into sex work is 18 years

Statistic 4

The majority of sex workers are women, accounting for about 80-90% of the global sex worker population

Statistic 5

The informal nature of sex work makes accurate data collection difficult, leading to underestimation of prevalence rates

Statistic 6

The average age of cessation among sex workers ranges from 30 to 45 years, depending on economic opportunities and health

Statistic 7

Approximately 50% of sex workers have worked in the industry for more than 3 years, indicating job stability in some areas

Statistic 8

The proportion of male sex workers is estimated at 10-20% globally, with higher figures in some countries, especially where male sex work is more accepted

Statistic 9

Microenterprise initiatives targeting sex workers have demonstrated improved economic stability and reduced vulnerabilities, according to pilot programs in Southeast Asia

Statistic 10

Approximately 85% of sex workers worldwide are women, with men and transgender individuals comprising the remaining 15%

Statistic 11

An estimated 2-3% of women in some urban areas engage in sex work, though this varies widely across regions

Statistic 12

In some settings, sex work is a primary source of income for up to 20% of women living in poverty, especially in developing countries

Statistic 13

The majority of sex workers do not always identify as sex workers, especially in contexts where sex work is criminalized, complicating outreach efforts

Statistic 14

About 70% of sex workers report experiencing HIV or other sexually transmitted infections

Statistic 15

Approximately 1 million new HIV infections occur annually among sex workers globally

Statistic 16

The proportion of sex workers living with HIV is approximately 12%, which is substantially higher than the general population

Statistic 17

In many settings, sex workers face substantial barriers to accessing healthcare, including stigma and discrimination

Statistic 18

About 75% of sex workers report experiencing discrimination in healthcare settings

Statistic 19

In some regions, legalizing or decriminalizing sex work has led to reductions in HIV transmission rates among sex workers

Statistic 20

About 60% of sex workers report having had clients who refuse to use condoms, increasing health risks

Statistic 21

HIV prevalence among sex workers in Sub-Saharan Africa is approximately 23%, the highest globally

Statistic 22

Legal status of sex work significantly impacts sex workers' health and safety, with criminalization being associated with higher risks

Statistic 23

In some countries, legal sex work is associated with lower rates of violence and disease, e.g., in Nevada, USA, where it is regulated, reported violence toward sex workers is lower

Statistic 24

Countries with a full or partial criminalization of sex work tend to have higher rates of violence and HIV among sex workers, according to multiple studies

Statistic 25

Sex workers in countries with legal protections report lower levels of violence and exploitation, highlighting the importance of legal frameworks

Statistic 26

Substance abuse, especially alcohol and stimulants, is reported by up to 40% of sex workers as a common coping mechanism

Statistic 27

In surveys, around 30% of sex workers report experiencing depression, often linked to violence, social stigma, and health concerns

Statistic 28

The proportion of sex work that involves trafficking varies widely but is estimated at around 4-5% globally, with some regions reporting higher rates

Statistic 29

In certain countries, up to 80% of female sex workers experience violence from clients or third parties

Statistic 30

The average hourly earning of sex workers varies significantly, ranging from $10 to $150, depending on location and services

Statistic 31

About 34% of sex workers have experienced police coercion or extortion

Statistic 32

Sex work is the second most dangerous profession globally, after fishing, primarily due to violence and health risks

Statistic 33

The average lifespan of sex workers in high-risk environments can be significantly shortened due to violence, health issues, and social stigma, with some studies suggesting a reduction of 10-15 years compared to the general population

Statistic 34

The use of condom use with clients among sex workers varies from 50% to over 90% depending on the region and legal context

Statistic 35

Approximately 65% of sex workers suffer from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety due to stigma and violence

Statistic 36

The rate of condom use with clients among sex workers in regulated environments is approximately 90%, compared to about 50-70% in unregulated settings

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Key Highlights

  • Approximately 0.3% of the global population aged 15-64 has engaged in sex work at some point in their lives
  • An estimated 42 million people are victims of sex trafficking globally
  • In certain countries, up to 80% of female sex workers experience violence from clients or third parties
  • The median age of entry into sex work is 18 years
  • About 70% of sex workers report experiencing HIV or other sexually transmitted infections
  • The average hourly earning of sex workers varies significantly, ranging from $10 to $150, depending on location and services
  • Approximately 1 million new HIV infections occur annually among sex workers globally
  • Legal status of sex work significantly impacts sex workers' health and safety, with criminalization being associated with higher risks
  • The majority of sex workers are women, accounting for about 80-90% of the global sex worker population
  • In some countries, legal sex work is associated with lower rates of violence and disease, e.g., in Nevada, USA, where it is regulated, reported violence toward sex workers is lower
  • About 34% of sex workers have experienced police coercion or extortion
  • The proportion of sex workers living with HIV is approximately 12%, which is substantially higher than the general population
  • In many settings, sex workers face substantial barriers to accessing healthcare, including stigma and discrimination

Despite comprising nearly 80-90% of the global sex worker population, women in the industry face staggering challenges—including violence, health risks, and social stigma—that underscore the urgent need for comprehensive legal protections and health support.

Demographics and socioeconomic aspects of sex workers

  • Approximately 0.3% of the global population aged 15-64 has engaged in sex work at some point in their lives
  • An estimated 42 million people are victims of sex trafficking globally
  • The median age of entry into sex work is 18 years
  • The majority of sex workers are women, accounting for about 80-90% of the global sex worker population
  • The informal nature of sex work makes accurate data collection difficult, leading to underestimation of prevalence rates
  • The average age of cessation among sex workers ranges from 30 to 45 years, depending on economic opportunities and health
  • Approximately 50% of sex workers have worked in the industry for more than 3 years, indicating job stability in some areas
  • The proportion of male sex workers is estimated at 10-20% globally, with higher figures in some countries, especially where male sex work is more accepted
  • Microenterprise initiatives targeting sex workers have demonstrated improved economic stability and reduced vulnerabilities, according to pilot programs in Southeast Asia
  • Approximately 85% of sex workers worldwide are women, with men and transgender individuals comprising the remaining 15%
  • An estimated 2-3% of women in some urban areas engage in sex work, though this varies widely across regions
  • In some settings, sex work is a primary source of income for up to 20% of women living in poverty, especially in developing countries
  • The majority of sex workers do not always identify as sex workers, especially in contexts where sex work is criminalized, complicating outreach efforts

Demographics and socioeconomic aspects of sex workers Interpretation

While only about 0.3% of the global population aged 15-64 has ever engaged in sex work, the pervasive shadow of trafficking, economic vulnerability, and legal stigma reveals a hidden universe—where precarious livelihoods, underreported numbers, and shifting demographics underscore the urgent need for nuanced policies that recognize sex work's complex realities rather than oversimplify it as just a statistic.

Health and HIV prevalence among sex workers

  • About 70% of sex workers report experiencing HIV or other sexually transmitted infections
  • Approximately 1 million new HIV infections occur annually among sex workers globally
  • The proportion of sex workers living with HIV is approximately 12%, which is substantially higher than the general population
  • In many settings, sex workers face substantial barriers to accessing healthcare, including stigma and discrimination
  • About 75% of sex workers report experiencing discrimination in healthcare settings
  • In some regions, legalizing or decriminalizing sex work has led to reductions in HIV transmission rates among sex workers
  • About 60% of sex workers report having had clients who refuse to use condoms, increasing health risks
  • HIV prevalence among sex workers in Sub-Saharan Africa is approximately 23%, the highest globally

Health and HIV prevalence among sex workers Interpretation

These stark statistics reveal that despite their crucial role in society, sex workers worldwide continue to grapple with disproportionately high HIV rates and systemic barriers to healthcare, highlighting an urgent need for decriminalization, destigmatization, and targeted intervention to turn the tide.

Legal and policy environment of sex work

  • Legal status of sex work significantly impacts sex workers' health and safety, with criminalization being associated with higher risks
  • In some countries, legal sex work is associated with lower rates of violence and disease, e.g., in Nevada, USA, where it is regulated, reported violence toward sex workers is lower
  • Countries with a full or partial criminalization of sex work tend to have higher rates of violence and HIV among sex workers, according to multiple studies
  • Sex workers in countries with legal protections report lower levels of violence and exploitation, highlighting the importance of legal frameworks

Legal and policy environment of sex work Interpretation

Legal frameworks matter: when sex work is regulated or decriminalized, sex workers face lower risks of violence and disease, while criminalization fuels danger and health crises—proof that laws protect lives, not just statutes.

Substance use, trafficking, and violence related issues

  • Substance abuse, especially alcohol and stimulants, is reported by up to 40% of sex workers as a common coping mechanism
  • In surveys, around 30% of sex workers report experiencing depression, often linked to violence, social stigma, and health concerns

Substance use, trafficking, and violence related issues Interpretation

The sobering reality is that nearly half of sex workers turn to substances like alcohol and stimulants to cope with the harsh realities of violence, stigma, and health risks, highlighting a pressing need for comprehensive support systems rather than merely surface-level solutions.

Trafficking, and violence related issues

  • The proportion of sex work that involves trafficking varies widely but is estimated at around 4-5% globally, with some regions reporting higher rates

Trafficking, and violence related issues Interpretation

While trafficking in sex work hovers around a modest 4-5% worldwide, in certain regions it's clear that behind the curtains, some scenes are far darker than the statistics suggest.

Work conditions, risks, and safety measures

  • In certain countries, up to 80% of female sex workers experience violence from clients or third parties
  • The average hourly earning of sex workers varies significantly, ranging from $10 to $150, depending on location and services
  • About 34% of sex workers have experienced police coercion or extortion
  • Sex work is the second most dangerous profession globally, after fishing, primarily due to violence and health risks
  • The average lifespan of sex workers in high-risk environments can be significantly shortened due to violence, health issues, and social stigma, with some studies suggesting a reduction of 10-15 years compared to the general population
  • The use of condom use with clients among sex workers varies from 50% to over 90% depending on the region and legal context
  • Approximately 65% of sex workers suffer from mental health issues such as depression and anxiety due to stigma and violence
  • The rate of condom use with clients among sex workers in regulated environments is approximately 90%, compared to about 50-70% in unregulated settings

Work conditions, risks, and safety measures Interpretation

Despite earning significantly more in some regions, sex workers face startlingly high risks of violence, coercion, and health hazards—underscoring that even in a regulated environment, safety and dignity remain elusive, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive protections and destigmatization.