Ultimate Guide to Prostitution
Often described as the ‘World’s oldest profession’, the buying and selling of sex has been happening since the very beginning of time. Don’t believe me? There are historical records from circa 2400 BCE mentioning prostitution as an occupation in the Sumer civilization which emerged in the early Bronze Ages! Since then, prostitution has been a part of almost every society, in every single stage of history, in every corner of the world.
What is prostitution?
Prostitution is the selling and buying of physical sexual intimacy. The term is most often used to encapsulate direct forms of sex work, such as penetrative and oral sex, but some people believe indirect sexual services such as erotic massages, lap dances and paid domination can also come under this umbrella term. A person who sells penetrative sex is known as a prostitute, or my also be refered to as a hooker, escort or sex worker.
What are the different types of prostitution?
There are many types of prostitution around the world, although the main three are listed in the table below, along with information about each type.
| Type of Prostitution | Description of Prostitution Activity | Location of Prostitution Activity | Prostitute Synonyms | Prostitution Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street | Client solicited in a public area. | Vehicle, Discreet public space | Hooker, Street Walker, Whore | $ |
| Brothel | Client visits a permanent premises dedicated to providing sex. | Brothel | Prostitute | $$ |
| Private | Client contacts sex worker by phone or online to arrange a meeting. | Private accommodation, Hotel | Escort, Call Girl | $$$ |
Why do people use prostitutes?
There’s a school of thought within many religions that sex should only be performed for the purpose of reproduction. Whilst there is some logic to this thinking, because without reproduction there would be no humanity, there is a slight problem… humans LOVE sex!
People find sex pleasurable due to the pudendal nerve, which can be found in the penis, cliterous, perineum and anus. When stimulated, this nerve sends signals to the brain, releasing both dopamine and oxytocin, chemicals which cause a flood of happy and pleasurable feelings. The human body has literally evolved to constantly desire sex.
Prostitution offers an easy way for people to find sexual pleasure from another human, without the strings attached of a relationship. There’s a variety of reasons someone may hire a prostitute: want to experience sex with different people, want to have an active sex life without committing to anyone, find it difficult to find sexual partners, are bored and looking for excitement…etc.
People who pay for sex are predominantly males, with relationship status not having influence. Although women do use paid sex services too, this is on a much smaller scale and often women will also look for paid romance and intimacy.
Why do people become prostitutes?
Just like there are many reasons people use prostitutes, there are are many reasons why people become prostitutes. However, the primary reason women sell sex is to make money.
In many parts of the world prostitution might be a means of survival, or it may be a chosen career choice with the desire to provide a higher-than-average income.
Street-based sex workers are often associated with using sex to maintain drug habits, whereas brothel workers are more likely to view sex as their primary income.
Private escorts are seen to be the higher-end of the sex industry, and with benefits such as high hourly pay, exotic travel opportunities and free gifts, these women or men may also be involved in prostitution for the experience, the excitement, and even for their love of sex.
Sadly there is a darker side to prostitution in the form of human trafficking, where people are forced to be prostitutes but often see little to no financial benefit. This abhorrent activity ruins lives and should be reported to the appropriate authorities when spotted.
Why is prostitution a crime?
The buying and selling of sexual services is often considered a controversial sexual behavior and one which is completely immoral. This is especially the view of those with conservative or religious views, believing that sex for money is a sign of society’s moral decay.
Despite this, there are an estimated 42 million prostitutes around the world. It is important to note that immoral activity does not automatically equate to criminal activity, and this is where there is much contention across the globe as to whether it should be a crime or not.
Prostitution has been made a crime in many parts of the world, not only because it is seen as immoral, but also because of the bad parts of the industry. For example, prostitution is often shrouded in drugs, violence, the subjugation of women, and child trafficking.
In other parts of the world, governments have either been extremely liberal and legalized prostitution in all forms, or have simply turned a blind eye where all parties involved are consenting. Those in favor of legalized prostitution argue that when regulated properly, legal prostitution decreases crime and increases public health, whilst also increasing tax revenue.
Using data from World Population Review, I’ve been able to decipher and put into the following table how many countries globally (out of 162) have made prostitution a crime as of 2022.
| Legality of Prostitution | Number of Countries |
|---|---|
| Completely legal | 22 |
| Partially legal / Legal grey areas / Laws not enforced | 65 |
| Completely illegal | 75 |
Where is prostitution legal?
There are 87 countries in the world where prostitution is either completely legal or has some aspects which is tolerated, meaning that for a good portion of the estimated 42 million prostitutes globally there isn’t the looming threat of imprisonment for their sex work. In almost all countries, prostitution of minors is illegal.
None of the information in this article should be considered legal advice and it is important to do your own up-to-date research before visiting any of these countries with the intention of participating in paid sexual activity.
Where is prostitution legal in Europe?
Western Europe is generally very liberal with relaxed views towards sex. It is a common political belief in Europe that the government should not interfere with private matters, especially where nobody is being hurt.
Several countries in Europe have made all aspects of sex work legal and regulated. In the Netherlands and Germany prostitution is completely legal. In these countries you will find legal brothels, including cheap walk-up brothels, in every major city and escorts can openly solicit for clients. Prostitutes have a recognised occupation, pay taxes on their income, and can claim state benefits. Prostitution is also legal in Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Latvia and Greece.
Many European countries turn a blind eye to prostitution, sometimes only actively enforcing a no brothel or pimping law. The buying and selling of sex in these countries is not legal, but it is not illegal either. Prostitution is somewhat legal in Spain, France, Italy and Poland.
Prostitution is somewhat legal in the UK. However, there are caveats to this. Brothels (defined as multiple sex workers working from the same premises) are illegal, as is pimping and soliciting in public. As a general rule, buying and selling sex in England, Scotland or Wales is ok if it is done in private, is consensual, and without a third-party being involved. Prostitution is illegal in Northern Ireland.
Prostitution in Eastern Europe is illegal for the most part, however these countries either turn a blind eye or have weak enforcement. In Russia prostitution is illegal and is punishable by a fine. However, the fine is only 1,500 rubles ($24), which is often criticised as nothing more than a slap on the wrist. Prostitution is illegal in Ukraine and Georgia but is widespread and generally ignored by authorities.
Where is prostitution legal in the US?
For the most part, prostitution is illegal in the US. Prostitution laws in the United States are set by each state, but there is little political willpower to change this. In the majority of the US, prostitution is punishable and it is a crime to solicit, arrange or purchase sex from another person.
Cops in the US will often set up sting operations to catch Americans who are looking to use prostitutes, with hefty fines or even imprisonment if caught. These zero tolerance policies can be found everywhere, including in New York City where escorting is illegal.
There is an exception to the rule, where prostitution is legal across 10 counties in the US state of Nevada. Brothels are permitted in these counties and are subject to strict regulation and federal income taxes. Despite Nevada being the home to ‘Sin City’ with a lot of open temptation, prostitution is illegal in Las Vegas.
The rules in North America are no different, with prostitution being illegal in Canada.
Where is prostitution legal in Asia?
When people think of sex tourism their minds may instantly go to Asia. However, prostitution is technically illegal in many Asian countries including Thailand and the Philippines.
Prostitution in China is completely illegal, although Chinese authorities seem indecisive about how to categorise prostitutes, sometimes treating them as criminals and other times as citizens behaving with misconduct.
Japan has very interesting laws regarding sex work. Prostitution in Japan is illegal, although this is defined as vaginal intercourse. This loophole means you can pay for sex, so long as it is oral sex or anal sex. There are red light districts within Tokyo, and brothels are disguised as massage parlours or ‘soaplands’, where you pay for a massage and then if sex happens this was a legal spontaneous romantic activity between two consenting adults.
Whilst prostitution in Thailand and the Philippines is technically illegal, the government not only turns a blind eye but seems to actively encourage it, with many cities such as Bangkok, Pattaya and Manila having very busy and popular red light districts. Thailand is one of the top countries in the world for sex tourism and has been for decades, with little legal consequence to those who participate.
Prostitution in India is partially legal. You cannot openly solicit for sex in public, be seen actively partaking in prostitution, or operate or visit a brothel. As long as people are being private and both parties are consensual, Indian authorities seem to be accepting of it.
Where is prostitution legal in Africa?
The only country on the African continent where prostitution is both legal and regulated is Senegal. Despite this, some of the countries with the most prostitutes in the world are Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and Sudan.
Prostitution is partially legal in Ethiopia, with brothels illegal but this is not widley enforced. Prostitution in Kenya is a legal grey area, where it is not a criminal activity but you must not live off the earnings of sex work. Kenya is popular for sex tourism, especially for women looking to purchase sex and romance from men.
Where is prostitution legal in South America?
Sex work is legal in most of South America, with prostitution legal in Mexico, Columbia and Brazil.
Although South American countries have made prostitution legal and regulate their sex industry, there is a lot of prejuidice towards sex work and these countries use tolerance zones within cities to segregate this activity from the rest of society.
Where is prostitution legal in the Middle East?
Sex work is not accepted in Islamic faith, which is the main reason prostitution is strictly forbidden in many middle eastern countries.
As the Middle East becomes more westernised, attitudes towards sex work are softening. For example, in Saudi Arabia a punishment for prostitution used to be flogging, however this has since been abolished by order of the Saudi Supreme Court General Commission, and instead prostitutes only face limited jail time or fines.
There is no outright prohibition towards prostitution in Israel or Lebanon.
Where is prostitution legal in Oceania?
Prostitution is legal in Australia, with escort agencies and brothels allowed to operate, although sex businesses must be registered and are heaviliy regulated.
Prostitution is completely legal in New Zealand. It is legal to run a brothel, live off the proceeds of someone else’s prostitution, and solicit sex for money in public.
Where is prostitution most common?
It is extremely difficult to get accurate statistics of the sex industry, mostly because prostitution is either completely or partially illegal in so many places, and where prostitution is illegal the majority of prostitutes are not arrested.
Looking at data from a wide number of sources, including sex worker charities and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (2016), there is an estimated 40-42 million prostitutes in the world.
The graph below shows which countries have the most prostitutes.
| Country | Est. Number of Prostitutes |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 1,400,000 |
| India | 657,800 |
| Nigeria | 410,000 |
| Congo | 350,300 |
| Columbia | 244,400 |
| Mexico | 240,000 |
| Sierra Leone | 240,000 |
| Pakistan | 228,800 |
| Indonesia | 226,800 |
| Sudan | 212,500 |
| Philippines | 210,000 |
With 1.4 million, Brazil is estimated to have the highest number of prostitutes out of any country by a significant amount, followed by India, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Columbia.
What is sex tourism?
Sex tourism is the activity of travelling to a foreign country with the primary purpose of buying sex or engaging in sexual activity from prostitutes and sex workers.
The sex tourism industry is estimated to generate over $20 billion per year in revenues. The practice predominantly operates in countries where prostitution is legal, regulated or tolerated.
The darker side of sex tourism, which is why so many people oppose it, is tourists travelling to seek sex with children or exploit victims of modern day slavery.
Which country is best for sex travel?
The Netherlands is often touted as the best country for sex travel, mostly because it has completely legalized sex work and regulates it to ensure prostitutes practice safe sex, are of a certain legal age, and are clean of sexually transmitted infections. Without the negative stigma, tourists feel safe visiting cities like Amsterdam to experience sex with prostitutes.
Germany is also great for sex travel due to prostitution being legal and well regulated. You can find red light districts in every major city and have cheap sex in a laufhaus or experience the FKK sex clubs. Germany is generally considered safe, not overly expensive, and very welcoming to tourists.
