Countries Where Prostitution Is Legal

Prostitution is defined as the act of engaging in sexual activity for pay. Many people have moral objections to prostitution, while countries around the world have outlawed prostitution.

Many view prostitution as a way to exploit or be violent toward women and children. In recent years, human trafficking and sexual slavery around the world has been put in the spotlight. Worldwide, there are an estimated 42 million prostitutes that work in the sex industry. Residents of countries where the practice is banned often go to sex tourism destinations across Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It has been estimated that worldwide revenue from prostitution is over $100 billion annually.

There is evidence that prostitution has been an industry since ancient times, earning it the nickname of “the world’s oldest profession.”

Prostitution laws vary across the world. Some countries, including the United States, outright ban prostitution. Other nations such as France, Canada, Iceland, and Norway do not prohibit the selling of sex but have made it illegal to pay for sexual acts.

In other nations, prostitution is legal. These countries include:

• Aruba, Australia, Austria
• Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bonaire
• Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Curacao
• Ecuador, Eritrea
• Germany, Greece, Guinea-Bissau
• Hungary
• Latvia, Lebanon
• Netherlands, New Zealand, Niue
• Panama, Peru, Pitcairn Islands
• Saba, Senegal, Saint Maarten, Switzerland
• Taiwan, Tokelau, Tunisia, Turkey
• Uruguay
• Venezuela

In some nations, local laws are used to regulate, permit, or prohibit prostitution. This includes:

• Argentina
• El Salvador
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Indonesia
• Kenya
• Mexico
• Nigeria