In this article, we’ve compiled a list of 20 countries with most prostitutes in the world. If you’re curious about this topic, reading this article will provide insights into where this practice is more prevalent.
Despite the once-known immoral and outright rejected form of money-making, evolution is allowing prostitution to gain more significance than ever before.
Commonly known as the “world’s oldest profession,” prostitution is a rapidly increasing business as well. Prostitution can be simply defined as an individual of any gender having sexual relations with another in exchange for money or valued goods. Prostitution is not related to a particular religion, nation, culture, or gender. It is found everywhere around the world in many ways and forms.
In 2012, an alarming estimation of 42 million prostitutes around the world was made. From bustling city streets to hidden corners, this article delves into 20 Countries with Most Prostitutes in the world.
Countries are continuously legalizing the once-known taboo of prostitution, with a growing focus on regulating the profession in recognition of the rights of sex workers and the need for public health and safety measures.
While we were doing our research for 20 Countries with Most Prostitutes in the world, we found that Canada is an example where prostitution is legal with strict regulations. Other countries are also increasingly compelled to legalize prostitution for various reasons, including public health and safety, reducing exploitation, destigmatization, taxation, regulation, gender equality, human rights, and harm reduction.
Legalization of prostitution can provide safer conditions for sex workers, reduce criminalization, generate tax revenue, and promote gender equality. Still, it remains a complex and debated policy choice, often reflecting a nation’s unique cultural and societal context.
An average sex worker enters the industry at age 14, and this is not always voluntary. People are sold in the industry sometimes by trusted others, although this is only 6% of the time.
In countries where prostitution is against the law, using data from arrests to make general prostitution statistics can be misleading. Most prostitutes are not arrested, and when they are, it’s often for different offenses.
Police are more likely to arrest street prostitutes than high-end call girls, which might create a bias based on social class in the statistics.
Some countries adopt a policy of ignoring or not actively enforcing laws against prostitution for a range of reasons. This pragmatic approach acknowledges the reality of the sex trade in society. It aims to reduce the stigma surrounding it while providing sex workers with social acceptance and protection from harm. It can also facilitate access to healthcare, especially for sexually transmitted infections, contributing to public health efforts.
The approach to prostitution varies from one country to another, influenced by cultural, public health, and law enforcement considerations, reflecting each nation’s unique circumstances and priorities.
Bangkok is a hotspot for tourists and is an example of the high number of prostitutes. The reason for this can be attributed to factors including a thriving tourism industry, economic disparities leading some to enter the sex trade, migration from neighboring countries, social acceptance, and past efforts to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The country has also taken steps to regulate and protect the rights of sex workers while addressing issues related to exploitation and human trafficking.
Methodology
We compiled a list of 20 Countries with Most Prostitutes in the world by collecting data on the number of prostitutes in each country from various articles. Our primary source of reference was an article Top 20 Sex Tourism Countries in the World in 2023.
Additionally, the second article we used to complete the list is Top 10 Countries With The Highest Number Of Prostitutes in the world.
Lastly, we listed the number of prostitutes in each country in ascending order and included them in the list.
Here are the countries with high numbers of prostitutes.
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20. New Zealand
Finally, New Zealand is at the bottom of our list, taking the 20th spot.
Street prostitution is very common in New Zealand as sex work is legal. According to the Prostitution Law Review Committee, 2005, 8,000 sex workers are working in the country.
It is decriminalized in New Zealand, due to which prostitutes advertise their services with full transparency.
The government also safeguards the rights of sex workers by providing employment and ensuring human rights. Due to decriminalization, prostitutes are able to make complaints to the police if a customer misbehaves.
19. Dominican Republic
Prostitution in the Dominican Republic is legal, but the stats are relatively low, which is why it ranks nineteenth on our list.
According to the Center for Integral Orientation and Investigation, nearly 6,000 to 10,000 prostitutes are working here, with the majority of them coming from the neighbors, Haiti.
Since Dominican girls lack education and exposure, they easily get fooled by men who lure them into love. Furthermore, teenage pregnancy is very common here and that’s make it 19 in our list of 20 Countries with Most Prostitutes in the world.
18. Netherlands
20,000 prostitutes are working on the streets of the Netherlands. Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, and the government has also taken measures to improve the work standards.
Prostitution in the Netherlands is a full-fledged business as the professionals have decided to conduct workshops to educate sex workers about health or entrepreneurial skills.
Independent brothels can be opened as long as the brothel owners have a license from the government. However, pimps are to be held accountable if they hire someone who is below the age of 21.
17. Australia
The number of prostitutes in Australia is 20,500, ranking 17 on our list of 20 Countries with Most Prostitutes in the world.
In Australia, almost 1,000 women are trafficked each year.
The state looks after the sex work industry. For legalization purposes, the terms “prostitute” and “prostitution” have been substituted with “sex worker” and “sex work”. Under the state law, individuals who are 18 years old or above can join the prostitution industry.
16. Zimbabwe
According to a study conducted by Elizabeth Fearon and others, 40,419 women between the age of 15-49 years are working as sex workers in Zimbabwe. Prostitution is criminalized in Zimbabwe, but it is thriving as an underground industry.
The deteriorated economy of the country has forced women into prostitution. Most of Zimbabwe’s adults and children migrate to neighboring countries for employment, but unfortunately, they get exploited and are subjected to sex trafficking.
According to statistics released in 2016, 1.3 million people in Zimbabwe are living with HIV, while 57.1% of sex workers are also infected with it. Customers and law enforcers both take advantage of their situation and make unethical claims because prostitution is banned in Zimbabwe. They are beaten and gang raped if they retaliate.
15. Cambodia
On number 15 in our list of 20 Countries with Most Prostitutes in the world, we have Cambodia. There are strict restrictions on prostitution in Cambodia. Despite that, it is prevalent, with nearly 55,000 girls working as prostitutes.
According to reports, 35% of the girls have been smuggled into Cambodia from China or Vietnam. The girls suffer abuse from locals as bauk (gang rape) is rampant in the region. No one advocates for these girls due to the stigmatization of prostitution.
14. Peru
Peru gets the 14th spot on our list of 20 Countries with Most Prostitutes in the world. 67,000 young women are working as prostitutes there.
Girls above the age of 18 are permitted to get into prostitution only if they get themselves registered with the government and are issued a health certificate.
However, child prostitution is strictly condemned in Peru, and whoever violates the laws is subjected to face penalties.
13. Nigeria
Nigeria ranks thirteenth on our list of 20 Countries with Most Prostitutes in the world.
Since Nigeria practices the Islamic Penal Code, prostitution is banned there. Regardless of the ban, 103,506 women are working as prostitutes.
Due to restrictions imposed by the government, nearly 50,000 Nigerian girls emigrated to Europe to pursue prostitution as a profession.
Girls are compelled into this profession due to financial restraints, and they face the consequences as well.
These girls travel to Europe illegally, and before they reach their destination, they pass out due to exhaustion, thirst, or drowning at sea.
12. Kenya
On number 12 in our list of 20 Countries with Most Prostitutes in the world we have Kenya. You would be shocked to know that due to poverty, men are sending their wives into prostitution.
Prostitution is banned in Kenya, but still, 133,675 women are working as sex workers.
HIV infections are also heightened in Kenya. Research revealed that 30% of sex workers were HIV positive.
11. Malaysia
Prostitution is banned in Malaysia, but women are still practicing it and that’s why it’s at number 11 in our list of 20 Countries with Most Prostitutes in the world.
150,000 women are working as prostitutes, especially in cities like Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Ipoh. In 2004, the prostitution industry earned around US$963 million in Malaysia.
10. Mexico
As of 2016, 236,930 girls were working as sex workers. Prostitution in Mexico is legal. Girls above the age of 18 can join the prostitution profession without any legal repercussions.
Pimp culture is illegal, but it is still prevalent. The Mexican government looks after the former prostitutes by providing them with shelter.
Young girls are forced into this profession by physically abusing men who blackmail them to harm their families. Other than girls, transgender and LGBTQ individuals are also vulnerable to human trafficking in Mexico.
9. Indonesia
Indonesia is among the 10 countries with the highest number of prostitutes in the world. In Indonesia, prostitution is regarded as morally unacceptable. Despite the social taboo, there are 226,791 prostitutes in the country.
Girls are gravitated towards this profession because it’s a lucrative one. They can easily earn up to USD 3,510 monthly. Another reason for joining this profession is forced prostitution.
Girls are tricked by men who promise to give them work and, instead, sell them to pimps.
Other than HIV infections, prostitutes in Indonesia are reported to suffer from psychological disorders like multiple personality disorders as a result of violent behavior from their customers, leaving a lasting impact on their mental well-being.
8. Spain
Spain is ranked 8th on our list of 20 Countries with Most Prostitutes in the world.
It is one of the biggest prostitution markets in Europe, with 350,000 prostitutes. Even though it is illegal, the prostitution industry is growing in Spain. The government has also imposed strict laws against prostitutes, pimps and customers.
7. Brazil
On number 7, we have Brazil in our list of 20 Countries with Most Prostitutes in the world.
Prostitution is legal there. Brazil accounts for 500,000 prostitutes in the country. Brazilian women are known for their captivating appearance.
Child prostitution is also prevalent in Brazil, with 250,000 to 500,000 children working as child prostitutes.
6. Philippines
Next, we have the Philippines. With 500,000 prostitutes, it is ranked at number 6 on our list of 20 Countries with Most Prostitutes in the world.
Girls opt for prostitution as a profession because it earns them a salary that is equivalent to half a month’s salary in just one night.
5. Germany
Germany is known as the brothel of Europe. It has 3,000 brothels across the country with more than more than 400,000 sex workers.
Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, especially Reeperbahn Street, which is an entertainment hub, is notorious for the sex trade.
Brothels run by states are only allowed to operate in the country.
Prostitution is a permitted profession in Germany, and sex workers get to enjoy multiple benefits as well, such as pensions, health insurance, and paying taxes. In a documentary, it was revealed that more than one million men pay for sex every day in Germany.
During World Cup 2006, brothels were opened close to the stadiums to look after the fans pre and post-games.
4. Thailand
Fourth comes Thailand, with 1 million prostitutes. Even after development, prostitution is widespread in Thailand due to poverty, lack of education, and unemployment. Also, because of the high demand of prostitutes from tourists, the red light area in Thailand is bustling.