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Countries Where Prostitution Is Legal 2024

Snapshot

  • Prostitution is estimated to involve around 42 million people worldwide, with legality varying by country.

  • European countries like Germany exhibit progressive approaches to prostitution, legalizing and regulating the industry, while emphasizing sex workers' rights and protections.

  • In Asia, countries such as Thailand and Japan present a contrast between official laws and practical enforcement, with thriving sex industries despite legal restrictions.

Prostitution is the practice, business, or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone in exchange for payment. There are an estimated 42 million prostitutes around the world.

Prostitution occurs in a variety of forms, and its legality varies from country to country (sometimes even from one state or county to another). This inconsistency reflects the wide range of national opinions that exist on issues surrounding prostitution, including exploitation, gender roles, ethics and morality, freedom of choice, and social norms.

Prostitution is seen as a major issue by many religious groups and feminist activist organizations. Some feminists believe that prostitution harms and exploits women and reinforces stereotypical views about women as sex objects. Other feminists believe that prostitution is a valid choice for women who wish to engage in it.

Various legal stances on prostitution

Similarly, the world's countries have adopted many different legal approaches regarding exactly which aspects of prostitution are legal or illegal and how best to regulate or eliminate the industry.

  • Prohibitionism - Prostitution is illegal (prohibited/criminalized) across the board. Selling, buying, organizing (via brothels, pimps, etc), and soliciting sex for money are all against the law. This approach is common in deeply religious countries, especially countries that outlaw pornography.
  • Neo-abolitionism - This philosophy considers prostitution to be violence against women. Selling sex is technically legal—but buying, organizing, and soliciting sex are all illegal. Prostitutes are considered legally blameless when caught in the act, but their clients and pimps (the prostitute's "organizer" or boss) are prosecuted. This "reverse loophole" is designed to suppress demand.
  • Abolitionism - The most prevalent approach worldwide. Selling sex and buying sex are both legal. However, in an effort to prevent exploitation of the sex worker, public solicitation; the operation of brothels; and forms of "organization" such as pimping, procuring, and forced prostitution are all usually prohibited.
  • Legalization - Selling, buying, and some forms of organizing (typically brothels) and soliciting of sex are legal. But they are also regulated, such as requiring prostitutes to register or only allowing prostitution in certain districts.
  • Decriminalization - Selling, buying, organizing, and solicitation of sex are all legal (or simply not addressed in the law at all) and are subject to minimal or no special regulations.
  • Some countries, such as Australia and the United States, state and local governments may have additional laws regarding prostitution.

It is important to note that a country's laws often fail to paint an accurate picture of the level of prostitution in that country.

For instance, sex workers in many neo-abolitionist countries have found loopholes that have enabled prostitution to thrive despite the seemingly strict laws—for example, prostitutes may offer a perfectly legal service, such as a dance session, that just happens to progress to a sex act as an off-the-clock bonus. Similarly, local law enforcement often takes an opposite stance on prostitution. Especially in tourist areas, local law enforcement is often tolerant of prostitution despite laws that prohibit it ... conversely, law enforcement personnel may harrass, shake down, or even abuse sex workers in countries that have legalized prostitution.

A brief survey of prostitution laws in various countries

Canada

Prostitution in Canada is legal with strict regulations. Under the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, it is legal to communicate with the intention of selling sex; however, it is illegal to communicate with the intention of buying sex and illegal to purchase sex services. It is legal for sex workers to advertise their own services, but not others' services. It is also illegal to sell sex near any area where a minor (under 18) could reasonably be expected to be present, such as schools, playgrounds, etc. These are just a few of the provisions in the law.

Thailand

Prostitution is illegal in Thailand, but the laws are ambiguous and often unenforced. As a result, red-light districts, massage parlors, go-go bars, and sex-focused karaoke bars are common sights. Sex work in Thailand is a significant economic incentive for many citizens, especially rural, unskilled women with financial burdens.

Japan

Engaging in prostitution as a buyer or seller is technically illegal in Japan. However, because the legal definition of prostitution is extremely narrow and specific (vaginal intercourse with a stranger), sex workers have devised a cornucopia of loopholes and end-arounds. These include "Soaplands", where guests are bathed by prostitutes; offering oral, anal, mammary, or some other form of non-vaginal intercourse; and "fashion health" or "delivery health" services, which sell legal services such as a massage and unofficially throw in a sex act as a freebie. As such, prostitution in Japan is prohibited, but thriving.

Germany

In one of the more progressive approaches worldwide, prostitution in Germany is legal, organized, and taxed. Germany also allows brothels, advertisements, and the processing of prostitution jobs through HR companies. Germany passed the Prostitutes Protection Act in 2016, which was intended to protect the legal rights of prostitutes. Part of the Act includes requiring a permit for all prostitution trades and a registration certificate for all prostitutes.

Australia

The legality of prostitution in Australia varies considerably from one states or territory to another, as each have their own laws. In New South Wales, prostitution is almost completely decriminalized (though pimping is still illegal). In Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria, sex work is legal and regulated. In Western Australia, Northern Territory, and South Australia, independent sex work is legal and not regulated, but brothels and pimping are illegal.

Mexico

Prostitution is legal under federal law in Mexico. The country’s 31 states each enact their own prostitution policies, and 13 of those states allow and regulate prostitution. Some cities have “tolerance zones,” which act as red-light districts and enable regulated prostitution. Pimping is illegal in most parts of Mexico.

United States

Where is prostitution legal in the United States? Prostitution is illegal everywhere in the U.S. except for 10 counties in Nevada. Brothels are permitted in counties where prostitution is legal, and both brothels and prostitutes are subject to federal income taxes. Prostitution is illegal in the remaining Nevada counties: Clark, Douglas, Eureka, Lincoln, Pershing, and Washoe. Las Vegas and Reno are located within Clark and Washoe county, respectively, meaning prostitution is illegal in both cities. Nonetheless, the majority of prostitution in Nevada occurs illegally in Reno and Las Vegas.

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Country
Legality
Model
Notes
IndiaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
NigeriaLimited LegalityAbolitionism/Prohibitionism
Varies by state/territory.
BrazilLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
EthiopiaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
MexicoLimited LegalityLegalization/Abolitionism/Prohibitionism
Varies by state/territory.
JapanLimited LegalityProhibitionism
Prostitution prohibited, but many loopholes exist.
DR CongoLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
ThailandLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels are gray area, solicitation illegal.
United KingdomLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal. Lax enforcement.
ItalyLimited LegalityProhibitionism
Prostitution prohibited, but many loopholes exist.
KenyaLimited LegalityProhibitionism, Abolitionism
Regulated by local laws in some places.
SpainLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels are gray area, solicitation illegal.
AlgeriaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
ArgentinaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
PolandLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
MadagascarLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
Ivory CoastLimited LegalityProhibitionism
Prostitution prohibited, but many loopholes exist.
MaliLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
Burkina FasoLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
MalawiLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
ZambiaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal. Lax enforcement.
KazakhstanLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
ChileLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
RomaniaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
GuatemalaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution and brothels legal, pimping illegal.
SenegalLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
BeninLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
BelgiumLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
Dominican RepublicLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
South SudanLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal. Lax enforcement.
CubaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels, solicitation, and pornography illegal.
HondurasLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
Czech RepublicLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
TajikistanLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
PortugalLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
TogoLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
AustriaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
Hong KongLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
NicaraguaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
ParaguayLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
KyrgyzstanLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
BulgariaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
SingaporeLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal. Lax enforcement.
DenmarkLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
Central African RepublicLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
FinlandLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
Costa RicaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
BotswanaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
NamibiaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
North MacedoniaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
LatviaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
Timor LesteLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
EstoniaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
CyprusLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
FijiLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
Solomon IslandsLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal. Lax enforcement.
MacauLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels, solicitation, & "street prostitution" illegal.
LuxembourgLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
MaltaLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
BahamasLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
MonacoLimited LegalityAbolitionism
Prostitution is legal, brothels and solicitation illegal.
IndonesiaLegalDecriminalization
Frowned upon, but widely tolerated.
BangladeshLegalLegalization
Solicitation still illegal.
TurkeyLegalLegalization
Organized and regulated.
GermanyLegalLegalization
Organized and regulated.
ColombiaLegalLegalization
Organized and regulated. Inconsistent enforcement.
MozambiqueLegalLegalization
PeruLegalLegalization
Organized and regulated.
VenezuelaLegalLegalization
Organized and regulated.
AustraliaLegalLegalization/Prohibitionism
Varies by state/territory.
EcuadorLegalLegalization
Organized and regulated. Inconsistent enforcement.
NetherlandsLegalLegalization
Organized and regulated.
BoliviaLegalLegalization
Organized and regulated.
GreeceLegalLegalization
Organized and regulated. Illegal prostitution also common.
HungaryLegalLegalization
Organized and regulated.
Sierra LeoneLegalLegalization
SwitzerlandLegalLegalization
Organized and regulated. Pimping and forced prostitution still illegal.
New ZealandLegalLegalization
LebanonLegalLegalization
Lightly regulated.
PanamaLegalLegalization
Organized and regulated.
EritreaLegalLegalization
UruguayLegalLegalization
Organized and regulated.
Cape VerdeLegalDecriminalization
Sex trafficking and child prostitution still illegal.
United StatesIllegal/LegalProhibitionism/Legalization
Illegal in 49.5 of 50 states, but still prevalent.
El SalvadorIllegal/LegalAbolitionism/Prohibitionism/Legalization
Legal some places, illegal in others.
ChinaIllegalProhibitionism
Frequent legal exception: happy ending massages.
PakistanIllegalProhibitionism
Still common despite steep penalties.
RussiaIllegalProhibitionism
PhilippinesIllegalProhibitionism
Illegal but tolerated.
EgyptIllegalProhibitionism
Still exists, but not prevalent.
VietnamIllegalProhibitionism
IranIllegalProhibitionism
Repeat offenders may be executed.
TanzaniaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
FranceIllegalNeo-Abolitionism
Selling is legal, but buying, organizing, solicitation illegal. Loopholes exist.
South AfricaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
MyanmarIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
South KoreaIllegalProhibitionism
Illegal but tolerated.
UgandaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
IraqIllegalProhibitionism
Buyer, seller, & organizer all liable. Steep penalties.
AfghanistanIllegalProhibitionism
Sex outside of marriage is punishable by death.
CanadaIllegalNeo-Abolitionism
Selling is legal, but buying, organizing, solicitation illegal.
MoroccoIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
UkraineIllegalProhibitionism
Illegal but tolerated.
AngolaIllegalProhibitionism
Lax enforcement.
Saudi ArabiaIllegalProhibitionism
Steep penalties.
UzbekistanIllegalProhibitionism
Lax enforcement.
YemenIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
GhanaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
NepalIllegalProhibitionism
CameroonIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
NigerIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
North KoreaIllegalProhibitionism
Prevalence unclear
SyriaIllegalProhibitionism
Lax enforcement.
TaiwanIllegalProhibitionism
Technically legal in "special zones" ... none of which exist.
Sri LankaIllegalProhibitionism
ChadIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
SomaliaIllegalProhibitionism
CambodiaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
ZimbabweIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
RwandaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
BurundiIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
TunisiaIllegalProhibitionism
Legal in two small areas of country only.
HaitiIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
JordanIllegalProhibitionism
Illegal but tolerated.
SwedenIllegalNeo-Abolitionism
Selling and brothels are legal, but purchasing illegal. Loopholes exist.
Papua New GuineaIllegalProhibitionism
Illegal but tolerated.
AzerbaijanIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
United Arab EmiratesIllegalProhibitionism
Steep penalties.
BelarusIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread. Minor offense.
IsraelIllegalNeo-Abolitionism
Selling is legal, but buying, organizing, solicitation illegal.
LaosIllegalProhibitionism
LibyaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
TurkmenistanIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
NorwayIllegalNeo-Abolitionism
Selling and brothels are legal, but purchasing illegal. Loopholes exist.
PalestineIllegalProhibitionism
Reportedly still legal in city of Ramallah
IrelandIllegalNeo-Abolitionism
Selling is legal, but buying, organizing, solicitation illegal.
OmanIllegalProhibitionism
KuwaitIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
CroatiaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
GeorgiaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
MongoliaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
MoldovaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
GambiaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
AlbaniaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
JamaicaIllegalProhibitionism
Illegal but tolerated.
ArmeniaIllegalProhibitionism
Still exists, but not prevalent.
QatarIllegalProhibitionism
Steep penalties.
LithuaniaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
BahrainIllegalProhibitionism
Still exists, but not prevalent.
EswatiniIllegalProhibitionism
Illegal but tolerated.
DjiboutiIllegalProhibitionism
Illegal but tolerated.
GuyanaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
BhutanIllegalProhibitionism
Still exists, but not prevalent.
SurinameIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread. Lax enforcement.
MaldivesIllegalProhibitionism
Still exists, but not prevalent.
BruneiIllegalProhibitionism
BelizeIllegalNeo-Abolitionism
Selling is legal, but buying, organizing, solicitation illegal. Still widespread.
IcelandIllegalNeo-Abolitionism
Selling is legal, but buying, organizing, solicitation illegal. Still widespread.
BarbadosIllegalProhibitionism
Still exists, but not prevalent.
SamoaIllegalProhibitionism
Still widespread.
showing: 160 rows

Which countries have made prostitution legal?

Prostitution is legal in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Mozambique, Turkey, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Greece, Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources