Prostitution statistics by country

Last updated

In 2012 it was estimated that there were between 40 and 42 million prostitutes in the world. [1] The list of countries below provides an estimate for the number of people working as prostitutes in each country. China, India, and the United States are the countries with the most prostitutes.[ citation needed ]

Methodology

There are a number of difficulties involved in collecting meaningful prostitution statistics. For example, the greater visibility of some forms of prostitution, such as street prostitution, makes statistics on these forms easier to collect. However, in some countries street prostitution forms a much smaller part of the sex industry than indoor prostitution. Similarly sex workers with health, addiction and other support needs are more likely to be known to the authorities and hence easier for researchers to contact, but may not be representative of prostitution as a whole. National Ugly Mugs, a support organisation for sex workers in the United Kingdom, has identified several factors making it difficult to collect statistics for the sex industry, including low response rates, the small scale of research compared to the size of the sex industry, and the diversity of the industry. As a result published statistics are often conflicting and contested. [2]

In countries where prostitution is illegal, the use of arrest data to create general prostitution statistics can be misleading. The majority of prostitutes are never arrested, and those who are, can often be charged with other offences instead. Class bias may be introduced into the statistics as a result of police officers being more likely to arrest street prostitutes than high-class call girls. In comparing one area with another there may be differences in the definition of a crime, the police enforcement rate, and the possibility of the inflation of arrest figures or the under-reporting of crime. [3]

Due to the unregulated and often illegal nature of the work, only estimates are available for the number of prostitutes in a country. The numbers for a country can vary considerably dependent on the source. Some countries' numbers may suffer from poor methodology. In other cases, results may be influenced by whether the organisation producing the numbers is for or against the nature of the work. Where available, figures are taken from Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 2016 "Sex Workers: Size Estimates."

Numbers of prostitutes
CountryNumber of prostitutes
Source: UNAIDS 2016 - 2018
Sex Workers: Size Estimates
[4] [5]
Number of prostitutes
Other sources and year
Population [6] Prevalence
(prostitutes per
10,000 population)
Afghanistan12,500 (2016) 34,656,0324
AlbaniaNo data5,000 - 30,000 (2006) [7] 2,926,34817 - 103
AlgeriaNo data40,606,052-
Angola54,000 (2017) 28,813,46319
Antigua and BarbudaNo data800 (2014) 100,96379
Argentina74,900 (2014) 43,847,43017
Armenia9,000 (2018) 2,924,81630
Australia20,500 (2012) 20,000 (2017) [8] 24,125,8488
Austria No data30,000 (2013) [9] 8,712,13734
Azerbaijan13,800 (2018) 9,725,37614
Bahamas3,035 (2016) 391,23278
BahrainNo data13,500 (2007) [10] 1,425,17195
Bangladesh140,000 (2015) 162,951,5601
Belarus22,000 (2016) 9,480,04223
BelgiumNo data26,000 (2015) [11] 11,358,37923
Benin28,800 (2017) 10,872,29826
Bhutan400 - 500 (2017) [12] 797,7655 - 6
Bolivia31,000 (2016) 10,887,88229
Bosnia and Herzegovina4,000 (2016) 3,516,81611
Botswana4,200 (2016) 2,250,26019
Brazil1,400,000 (2013) 207,652,86526
Bulgaria10,000 (2016) 7,131,49414
Burkina Faso31,000 (2016) 18,646,43317
Burundi51,000 (2016) 10,524,11749
Cambodia34,000 (2016) 15,762,37022
Cameroon70,500 (2018) 23,439,18947
CanadaNo data36,289,822-
Cape Verde1,400 (2016) 539,56026
Central African Republic782 (2016) 4,594,6212
Chad1,200 (2016) 14,452,5431
ChileNo data4,980 (2014) [13] 17,909,7542 - 3
ChinaNo data2,800,000 - 4,500,000 (2010) [14] 1,403,500,36514 - 32
Colombia244,400 (2013) 48,653,4192
Comoros200 (2016) 795,6013
Congo9,700 (2017)5,125,821-
Costa Rica3,000 (2017)15,000 (unknown) [15] 4,857,27431
CroatiaNo data21,066 (2006) [16] 4,213,26550
Cuba82,500 (2017) 11,475,98278
CyprusNo data1,170,125-
Czech Republic13,000 (2016) 10,610,94712
Democratic Republic of the Congo350,300 (2018) 78,736,15345
DenmarkNo data6,000 (2009) [17] 5,711,87011
Djibouti2,900 (2016)942,33331
Dominican Republic97,800 (2015)10,648,79156 - 94
East Timor1,700 (2016) 1,268,67113
Ecuador34,400 (2014) 16,385,06821
Egypt23,000 (2016) 95,688,6812
El Salvador20,000 (2016) 6,344,72232
Equatorial Guinea5,800 (2016) 1,221,49041
Eritrea1,600 (2016) 4,954,6453
Estonia1,000 (2016) 1,312,4427
Ethiopia85,000 (2016) 102,403,1962
Federated States of Micronesia290 (2016) 104,93729
Fiji900 (2014) 898,76010
FinlandNo data4,000 (2009) [17] 5,503,1327
FranceNo data30,000 (2018) [18] 64,720,6905
Gabon368 (2016) 1,979,7862
Gambia3,100 (2016) 2,038,50115
Georgia6,500 (2016) 3,925,40517
GermanyNo data300,000 (2009) [17] 81,914,67237
Ghana52,000 (2016) 28,206,72818
GreeceNo data10,500 –15,000 (2009) [17] 11,183,7169 - 13
Guatemala83,000 (2019) 16,582,46916
Guinea8,400 (2016) 12,395,9247
Guinea-Bissau3,100 (2016) 1,815,69817
Guyana5,300 (2016) 773,30369
Haiti70,300 (2015) 10,847,33465
Honduras22,800 (2016)9,112,86725
HungaryNo data20,000 - 25,000 (2006) [19] 9,753,28121 - 26
India657,800 (2016) 1,324,171,3545
Indonesia226,800 (2016) 261,115,4569
Iran90,000 (2015)91,500 (2015) [20] 80,277,42811
IraqNo data37,202,572-
Ireland1,000 (2016) 4,726,0782
IsraelNo data12,000 (2015) [21] 8,191,82815
ItalyNo data60,000 (2009) [17] 59,429,93810
Ivory Coast10,900 (2016) 23,695,9194
Jamaica18,700 (2014)2,881,35566
JapanNo data127,748,513-
JordanNo data9,455,802-
Kazakhstan19,000 (2016) 17,987,73611
Kenya167,900 (2018) 48,461,56735
Kiribati114 (2016) 114,39510
KuwaitNo data4,052,584-
Kyrgyzstan7,100 (2016) 5,955,73412
Laos13,000 (2016) 6,758,35319
LatviaNo data29,558 (2006) [16] 1,970,530150
Lebanon4,300 (2018) 6,006,6687
Lesotho7,500 (2018) 2,203,82129
Liberia163,100 (2017) 4,613,8232
LibyaNo data6,293,253-
LithuaniaNo data1,000 – 3,000 (unknown) [22] 2,908,2493 - 10
LuxembourgNo data300 (2009) [17] 575,7475
Macedonia3,600 (2016) 2,081,20617
Madagascar191,200 (2018)24,894,55168
Malawi9,300 (2016) 18,091,5755
Malaysia21,000 (2016) 31,187,2657
MaldivesNo data1,139 (2013) [23] 427,75627
Mali36,000 (2016) 17,994,83720
Marshall Islands250 (2016) 53,06647
Mauritania315 (2016) 4,301,0181
Mauritius6,200 (2016) 1,262,13249
Mexico240,000 (2019) 127,540,42319
Moldova12,000 (2016) 4,059,60830
Mongolia1,300 (2016) 3,027,3984
Morocco72,000 (2017) 36,276,78621
Mozambique27,300 (2012) 28,829,4765
Myanmar66,000 (2016) 52,885,22313
Nepal67,000 (2016)28,982,77123
Namibia8,100 (2016) 2,479,71333
Netherlands25,000 (2011)16,987,33015
New Zealand3,500 (2018)5,932 (2005) [24] 4,660,83313
Nicaragua14,800 (2017)6,149,92829
Niger47,000 (2016)20,672,98723
Nigeria410,000 (2019)103,500 (2015) 185,989,6405
North KoreaNo data25,000 (2014) [25] 25,368,62010
NorwayNo data3,000 (2009) [17] 5,254,6946
OmanNo data4,424,762-
Pakistan228,800 (2016) 193,203,47612
PalestineNo data4,790,705-
Panama8,300 (2018) 4,034,11913
Papua New GuineaNo data8,084,991-
Paraguay3,400 (2016) 6,725,3085
Peru67,000 (2016) 31,773,83921
Philippines210,000 (2019) 103,320,22215
PolandNo data19,000 (unknown) [15] 38,224,4105
Portugal No data28,000 (2005) [26] 10,371,62727
QatarNo data2,569,804-
RomaniaNo data158,225 (2006) [16] 19,778,08380
RussiaNo data719,822 (2006) [16] 143,964,51350
Rwanda12,000 (2016) 11,917,50810
Samoa400 (2016) 195,12521
São Tomé and Príncipe89 (2016) 199,9105
Saudi ArabiaNo data32,275,687-
Senegal21,000 (2016) 15,411,61414
Serbia3,900 (2016) 8,820,0834
Seychelles586 (2016) 94,22862
Sierra Leone240,000 (2013) 7,396,190325
SingaporeNo data5,622,455-
Slovakia No data21,777 (2006) [16] 5,444,21840
SloveniaNo data29,090 (2006) [16] 2,077,862140
Somalia11,000 (2016) 14,317,9967
South Africa24,000 (2018) 56,015,4734
South KoreaNo data50,791,919-
South Sudan5,000 (2016) 12,230,7304
Spain70,300 (2016) 46,347,57615
Sri Lanka14,000 (2016) 20,798,4927
Sudan212,500 (2016) 39,578,82853
Suriname2,200 (2016) 558,36839
Swaziland4,000 (2016) 1,343,09830
SwedenNo data2,500 (2009) [17] 9,837,5333
Switzerland20,000 (2011) 8,401,73924
Syria25,000 (2011) 18,430,45314
TaiwanNo data100,000 (2011) [27] 23,556,70643
Tajikistan14,000 (2016) 8,734,95116
Tanzania160,000 (2016) 55,572,20129
Thailand144,000 (2016) 68,863,51420
Togo10,000 (2016) 7,606,37413
Tonga1,000 (2016) 107,12293
Tunisia25,000 (2011) 11,403,24822
TurkeyNo data100,000+ (2016) [28] 79,512,42613+
TurkmenistanNo data5,663 (2006) [16] 5,662,54410
Tuvalu10 (2016) 11,0979
Trinidad and Tobago1000 (2016)1,353,8957.3
Uganda130,000 (2019)41,487,965-
Ukraine86,600 (2016) 44,438,62518
United Arab EmiratesNo data30,000 (unknown) [15] 9,269,61232
United KingdomNo data72,800 (2016) [29] 65,788,57411
United States No data1,000,000-2,000,000 [30] (2010) [31] 322,179,60531
Uruguay8,200 (2016) 3,444,00624
Uzbekistan22,000 (2016) 31,446,7957
Vanuatu2,000 (2016) 270,40274
VenezuelaNo data473,523 (2006) [16] 31,568,179150
Vietnam86,000 (2019) 94,569,0727
Yemen54,000 (2016) 27,584,21320
Zambia9,300 (2016) 16,591,3906
ZimbabweNo data12,383 (2013) [32] 16,150,3628

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostitution in Thailand</span>

Prostitution in Thailand is not illegal. Section 5 of the relevant Act makes that very clear. What is forbidden is openly and shamelessly offering sexual services or causing a public nuisance. However, due to police corruption and an economic reliance on prostitution dating back to the Vietnam War, it remains a significant presence in the country. It results from poverty, low levels of education and a lack of employment in rural areas. Prostitutes mostly come from the northeastern (Isan) region of Thailand, from ethnic minorities or from neighbouring countries, especially Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos. In 2019, UNAIDS estimated the total population of sex workers in Thailand to be 43,000.

Prostitution in Myanmar is illegal, but widespread. Prostitution is a major social issue that particularly affects women and children. UNAIDS estimate there to be 66,000 prostitutes in the country.

Prostitution in Senegal is legal and regulated. Senegal has the distinction of being one of the few countries in Africa to legalize prostitution, and the only one to legally regulate it. The only condition that it is done discreetly. Prostitution was first legalised in 1966. UNAIDS estimate that there are over 20,000 prostitutes in the country. The average age for a sex worker in Senegal is 28 years old and female.

Prostitution in Ecuador is legal and regulated, as long as the prostitute is over the age of 18, registered, and works from a licensed brothel. Prostitution is widespread throughout the country. Many brothels and prostitutes operate outside the regulatory system and the regulations have been less strictly enforced in recent years. 25,000 prostitutes were registered in the year 2000. In 2007 it was estimated that 70% of the prostitutes in the country were from Colombia. The country attracts Colombian prostitutes as the currency is the US$ rather than the unstable Colombian peso. UNAIDS estimate there to be 35,000 prostitutes in the country.

Prostitution in Georgia is illegal but widespread, particularly in the capital, Tbilisi. Many NGO's attribute this to the harsh economic conditions according to the US State Department. Prostitution occurs on the streets, in bars, nightclubs, hotels and brothels. UNAIDS estimate there are 6,525 prostitutes in Georgia.

Prostitution in El Salvador is not prohibited by national law, but may be prohibited by local municipal ordinances. Municipal ordinances may also prohibit the purchase of sexual services. Related activities such as facilitating, promoting or giving incentives to a person to work as a prostitute (pimping) are illegal. The prostitution of children is also illegal. Brothel ownership, however, is legal. There are no specific laws against human trafficking, but any criminal offence that includes ‘commerce in women or children’ requires sentencing to be increased by 30%.

Prostitution in Zambia is legal and common. Related activities such as soliciting and procuring are prohibited. UNAIDS estimate there are 9,285 prostitutes in the capital, Lusaka. Many women turn to prostitution due to poverty. Sex workers report law enforcement is corrupt, inconsistent and often abusive.

Prostitution in Haiti, although illegal, continues to be a widespread problem for the country, particularly in the form of street prostitution, as well as in bars, hotels and brothels. UNAIDS estimate there to be 70,000 prostitutes in the country. Law enforcement is generally lax.

Prostitution in Cameroon is illegal but tolerated, especially in urban and tourist areas. In the capital, Yaoundé the main area of prostitution is the neighbourhood of Mini Ferme. UNAIDS estimate there are 112,000 sex workers in the country.

Prostitution in Guyana is illegal but widespread. Prostitution law is antiquated and dates from the colonial era. Law enforcement is inconsistent and sex workers report violence and abuse by the police. Many turn to prostitution for economic reasons and the lack of other job opportunities. Prostitution continues to receive greater public attention due to the high incidence of HIV/AIDS among prostitutes. Prostitution in the country is separated into three types: "uptown", servicing affluent clients, "downtown", servicing the working classes, and mining sites. UNAIDS estimate there to be 6,000 prostitutes in the country.

Prostitution in Burkina Faso is not specifically prohibited by the law, but soliciting and pimping are illegal. Burkinabe society only accepts sexual intercourse within marriage. In 2009, Voice of America reported that the number of prostitutes in Burkina Faso had increased as a result of the country's poverty. The increase in prostitution has given rise to fears of an increase in the number of Burkinabés infected with HIV and AIDS. UNAIDS estimate there to be 31,000 prostitutes in the country.

Prostitution in Tanzania is illegal but widespread. UNAIDS estimate there to be 155,450 prostitutes in the country. Many women and young girls are forced into prostitution due to poverty, lack of job opportunities, culture, and the disintegration of the family unit. Many university students have to turn to prostitution for economic reasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prostitution in Africa</span> Overview of the legality and practice of prostitution in Africa

The legal status of prostitution in Africa varies widely. It is frequently common in practice, partially driven by the widespread poverty in many sub-Saharan African countries, and is one of the drivers for the prevalence of AIDS in Africa. Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire permit the operations of brothels. In other countries, prostitution may be legal, but brothels are not allowed to operate. In some countries where prostitution is illegal, the law is rarely enforced.

Prostitution in Eswatini is illegal, the anti-prostitution laws dating back to 1889, when the country Eswatini was a protectorate of South Africa. Law enforcement is inconsistent, particularly near industrial sites and military bases. Police tend to turn a blind eye to prostitution in clubs. There are periodic clamp-downs by the police.

Prostitution in Uzbekistan is illegal, but prostitution has increased within the country since the collapse of the Soviet Union. UNAIDS estimated there to be 22,000 sex workers in the country in 2019. Many of the women have turned to prostitution in Uzbekistan because of poverty.

Prostitution in Togo is legal and commonplace. Related activities such as solicitation, living off the earnings of prostitution or procuring are prohibited. Punishment is up to 10 years imprisonment if minors or violence is involved.

Prostitution in Botswana is not illegal, but laws such as public disorder, vagrancy, loitering and state recognised religious provisions are used to prosecute prostitutes. Related activities such as soliciting and brothel keeping are illegal. Botswana has made proposals to make prostitution legal to prevent the spread of AIDS. However, there has been mass opposition to it by the Catholic Church. Prostitution is widespread and takes place on the street, bars, hotels, brothels and the cabs of long-distance trucks.

Prostitution in Angola is illegal and prevalent since the 1990s. Prostitution increased further at the end of the civil war in 2001. Prohibition is not consistently enforced. Many women engage in prostitution due to poverty. It was estimated in 2013 that there were about 33,000 sex workers in the country. Many Namibian women enter the country illegally, often via the border municipality of Curoca, and travel to towns such as Ondjiva, Lubango and Luanda to work as prostitutes.

Prostitution in Guinea-Bissau is common and there are no prostitution laws. In 2016 it was estimated there were 3,138 prostitutes in the country. Often it is associated with other crimes: Many pimps are also reported to be drug dealers. Poverty leads many women to be tempted into prostitution and cocaine addiction.

Prostitution in Burundi is illegal but is commonplace and on the rise. Prostitution is prevalent in all areas of the country, and especially in the largest city, Bujumbura, and prior to the security crisis in 2015, the tourist areas around Lake Tanganyika. UNAIDS estimate there are 51,000 prostitutes in Burundi. Many women have turned to prostitution due to poverty.

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