Which Are The Legal Sex Tourism Countries In 2024?

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1. Understanding the Legal Landscape of Prostitution

The legality of prostitution varies significantly across the globe, reflecting a wide range of cultural, social, and political perspectives. According to research from Statista, in 2024, approximately 51% of the world’s population resides in countries where prostitution is legalized or has limited legality. This complex issue involves ongoing debates about human rights, public health, and societal attitudes toward the sex industry.

This map provides a visual overview of global prostitution laws, showcasing the diverse legal frameworks around the world.

1.1 The Global Spectrum of Legality

The legal status of prostitution spans a broad spectrum:

• Fully Legal: Countries where prostitution, brothels, and solicitation are legal.
• Limited Legality: Countries where prostitution is legal, but certain aspects like brothel ownership or solicitation are prohibited.
• Illegal: Countries where prostitution is entirely illegal.

1.2 Statistics on Legality

• Fully Legal: A relatively small percentage of countries have fully legalized prostitution.
• Limited Legality: A growing number of countries are adopting alternative legal frameworks to address the complexities of this profession.
• Illegal: Approximately 37% of the world’s population lives in countries where prostitution is illegal.

2. List of Countries Where Prostitution is Legal in 2024

The following table provides an overview of countries where prostitution is legal or has limited legality in 2024:

This information is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify local laws and regulations before traveling.

3. Exploring Countries with Legal Prostitution

Let’s delve deeper into some of the countries where prostitution is legal, examining the specific legal frameworks and cultural contexts that shape the industry.

3.1 New Zealand: A Progressive Approach

New Zealand’s decriminalization of prostitution in 2003 has led to improved conditions and rights for sex workers.

New Zealand legalized prostitution in 2003 through the Prostitution Reform Act (PRA), which decriminalized sex work by removing most legal restrictions. The PRA established the Prostitution Law Review Committee to monitor and evaluate the law’s impact on sex workers’ well-being. Licensed brothels operate under public health and employment laws, providing workers with social benefits. According to the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective (NZPC), there are approximately 8,000 sex workers in New Zealand at any given time.

3.2 Australia: State-by-State Variations

The legal status of prostitution in Australia varies by state, with some areas decriminalizing it while others maintain prohibitions.

The legal status of prostitution in Australia differs from state to state. Historically, prostitution laws in Australia were primarily a matter for state and territory governments, leading to diverse legal approaches across the country. It is decriminalized in some areas, and illegal in others. The same goes for brothel ownership. South Australia’s decriminalization model focuses on harm reduction and treating sex work as a legitimate form of labor. According to a report by IBISWorld, the market size of the Brothel Keeping and Sex Worker Services industry increased 19.5% in 2023.

3.3 Austria: Registration and Regulation

Austria requires sex workers to register, undergo health examinations, and pay taxes, acknowledging sex work as a legitimate form of employment.

Prostitution was decriminalized in Austria in 1975, acknowledging sex work as a legitimate form of employment. Prostitutes are required to register, undergo periodic health examinations, be 18 years old or older, and pay taxes. Prostitution in Austria is subject to government oversight, with authorities monitoring and regulating the industry to maintain standards and ensure the well-being of sex workers. In 2022, there were around 5,279 registered prostitutes in Austria, according to Statista.

3.4 Bangladesh: Legal with Restrictions

While prostitution is legal in Bangladesh, various provisions prohibit solicitation and unlicensed brothels.

Male prostitution is illegal, but everything else is legal. Provisions in the Penal Code of Bangladesh criminalize various aspects of prostitution, including soliciting, operating brothels, and living off the earnings of prostitution. In addition to legal penalties, the social stigma surrounding sex work in Bangladesh can contribute to challenges for individuals engaged in the industry. As per Wikipedia, there are 20 brothel villages in the country. The largest is Daulatdia which has about 1,300 sex workers, it is one of the largest brothels in the world.

3.5 Belgium: Decriminalization and State-of-the-Art Brothels

Belgium has been trying to remove the stigma, violence, and fear associated with prostitution by legalizing it and running proper state-of-the-art brothels.

Prostitution was decriminalized in Belgium in 1995, acknowledging sex work as a legitimate form of employment. They have been trying to remove the stigma, violence, and fear associated with prostitution by not just legalizing it but also running proper state-of-the-art brothels with fingerprint technology and keycards! The regulatory framework includes provisions for regular health checks for sex workers to safeguard their well-being and prevent the spread of STDs. Despite this, there are lot of human trafficking cases here. In 2022, Belgium’s Federal Police registered 303 sexual trafficking cases, according to Statista.

3.6 Brazil: A Private Activity

In Brazil, engaging in sex work is generally considered a private activity between consenting adults.

This is in the list of countries where prostitution is legal, though you’ll get busted if you’re channeling your inner Snoop Dogg and pimping away to glory. Engaging in sex work is generally considered a private activity between consenting adults. At the federal level, there is no specific law that criminalizes or fully decriminalizes prostitution. According to a survey conducted by Fumec (Minas Gerais Foundation for Education and Culture) it was found that there were about 1.5 million people in prostitution.

3.7 Canada: Balancing Decriminalization and Criminalization

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Canada’s Supreme Court amended its Criminal Code in 2014, decriminalizing the sale of sexual services but criminalizing the purchase of sex and operating a brothel.

The Supreme Court of Canada, in the landmark case Bedford v. Canada amended its Criminal Code in 2014. The amendments primarily focused on decriminalizing certain aspects of sex work and addressing the constitutional concerns raised by the Supreme Court. The amendments decriminalized the sale of sexual services, allowing consenting adults to engage in sex work. However, the law still criminalizes activities such as communicating in public to purchase sexual services and operate a brothel for sex work. This puts this law in a very dangerous situation. According to a report, young people were the most critical of prostitution: only 36% of those aged 18–34 considered prostitution “morally acceptable,” compared to 45% of those aged 35–54, and 44% of those older than 55.

3.8 Colombia: Widespread in Cities

Prostitution is legal in Colombia, particularly in cities such as Cartagena and Barranquilla.

It is legal to work in the sex industry in Colombia, though pimping isn’t. Prostitution is especially widespread in cities such as Cartagena and Barranquilla. While prostitution itself is legal, there are regulations in place to maintain public order, such as restrictions on soliciting in certain public spaces. Colombia has faced challenges related to sex trafficking, and efforts are being made to combat human trafficking and provide support to victims. UNAIDS estimates there to be 7,218 prostitutes in the country.

3.9 Denmark: Government Support for Disabled Individuals

The Danish government even helps those with disabilities get laid by incurring the extra costs some of them have to pay.

Prostitution is legal here. The government even helps those with disabilities get laid by incurring the extra costs some of them have to pay. Denmark has implemented regulations to govern certain aspects of the industry. This includes licensing requirements for individuals engaged in sex work and establishments such as brothels. However, trafficking remains a dominant issue here. Of the 968 persons identified as trafficked in Denmark, 717 persons were victims of trafficking into prostitution.

3.10 Ecuador: Legalizing All Aspects of Sex Work

Ecuador decriminalized adult consensual sex work in 2011, legalizing all aspects of the industry, including selling, brothel operation, and pimping.

Ecuador decriminalized adult consensual sex work in 2011. Quito was the first city in Ecuador to regulate prostitution in 1921, requiring prostitutes to be tested weekly for STIs. Everything related to sex work is legal here. You can sell your body, run a brothel or be a pimp with no legal ramifications. Authorities issue permits and licenses to individuals and establishments involved in sex work. Forced prostitution is a bit of a problem here though. UNAIDS estimates there to be 35,000 prostitutes in the country.

3.11 France: Criminalizing the Purchase of Sex

In France, prostitution is legal, but soliciting in public is outlawed, and the purchase of sex is criminalized.

Prostitution is legal in France, though soliciting in public is still outlawed. Pimping is illegal and brothels were outlawed in France in 1946, right after the War. However, in 2016, France adopted a new legal framework that criminalizes the purchase of sex while decriminalizing the sale of sex. Certain aspects of sex work are regulated, including restrictions on where sex work can take place, such as forbidding street solicitation in some areas. In 2023, it was estimated that over 30,000 people were involved in prostitution in France.

3.12 Germany: Regulated Sex Industry

Prostitution was decriminalized in Germany in 2002, with a regulatory framework that includes health and safety standards, taxation, and licensing.

Prostitution was decriminalized in Germany in 2002. Alongside decriminalization, Germany implemented a regulatory framework to govern the sex industry. This includes health and safety standards, taxation, and licensing for sex workers and establishments. According to official figures published by the Federal Statistics Agency, the number of registered sex workers in Germany at the end of 2022 was 28,280, a rise of 19.1% compared with the year before.

3.13 Greece: Equal Rights for Sex Workers

Greece includes prostitution as an actual job in society, providing sex workers with equal rights and requiring frequent health checkups.

Prostitution was decriminalized in Greece in 2016. Greece has also followed the German method of including prostitution as an actual job in society. The sex workers get equal rights and have to go for health checkups pretty often. Sex workers may be required to register with authorities, and establishments such as brothels must comply with specific standards for health and safety. It is estimated that fewer than 1,000 women are legally employed as prostitutes and approximately 20,000 women, half of whom are of foreign origin and the other half are Greek, are engaged in illegal prostitution.

3.14 Indonesia: Legal Ambiguity

Prostitution itself is not explicitly addressed in Indonesian law, making the legal status ambiguous and potentially dangerous for sex workers.

This is one of the countries where prostitution is legal in Asia. Considering prostitution itself is not even present in their law in any clear form, it’s plain to say that the sex trade is legal. This also means that it is very dangerous for forced workers and minors. According to Wikipedia, It is estimated that 40,000 to 70,000 Indonesian children engage in prostitution within the country.

3.15 Netherlands: Famous for Red-Window Sex Workers

The Netherlands decriminalized and regulated prostitution in 2000 and is known for its red-window sex workers.

The Netherlands decriminalized and regulated prostitution in 2000. One of the places most famous for its red-window sex workers, prostitution is, obviously, legal here, just like a lot of other things. They’ve always had a slightly more open way of dealing with things deemed taboo elsewhere. The legal age for engaging in sex work in the Netherlands is 21 years. The Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam, is known for sex tourism, and the presence of legal and regulated sex work establishments attracts visitors from around the world. A report says, approximately 25,000 prostitutes work in the Netherlands with around 1,000 working daily in Amsterdam’s Red Light District alone.

3.16 Switzerland: Decriminalization and Regulation

Switzerland has decriminalized and regulated prostitution for several decades, making both selling and buying sex legal activities.

Prostitution has been decriminalized and regulated in Switzerland for several decades. Both selling and buying sex are legal activities for consenting adults in Switzerland. This country’s approach to regulated sex work has also attracted some visitors, contributing to a certain degree of sex tourism in specific areas. One estimate puts the number of street sex workers in Zurich at 5,000. UNAIDS estimates there to be 20,000 prostitutes in the country.

3.17 India: Legal but with Restrictions

India is one of the Asian countries where prostitution is legal, but soliciting and public prostitution are illegal.

India is one of the Asian countries where prostitution is legal. However, soliciting and public prostitution are illegal. Owning a brothel is also against the law, but, as places like GB Road and Kamathipura prove, these laws are rarely enforced. Under Sections 372 and 373, it is illegal to buy, sell, or import minors for prostitution. Wikipedia states that according to UNAIDS estimate, there were 657,829 prostitutes in the country as of 2016. Other unofficial estimates have calculated India has roughly 3 million prostitutes.

3.18 United States: Diverse Regional Laws

Prostitution laws in the United States have historically been diverse, with Nevada being an exception where certain counties allow regulated prostitution in licensed brothels.

Prostitution laws in the United States have historically been diverse in various regions. Some states have adopted stricter criminalization measures, while others have pursued various forms of regulation or decriminalization. Nevada is an exception, where certain counties allow regulated and legal prostitution in licensed brothels, subject to specific regulations. A 2012 report by Fondation Scelles indicated that there were an estimated 1 million prostitutes in the U.S.

3.19 Mexico: Decriminalization in Mexico City

Mexico City decriminalized sex work in 2010, allowing adults to engage in sex work without facing criminal penalties.

The legal status of prostitution in Mexico is varied and diverse among the states. Mexico City (now Mexico City and Mexico State) decriminalized sex work in 2010, allowing adults to engage in sex work without facing criminal penalties. It also has implemented laws to address human trafficking, including sex trafficking. UNAIDS estimated the number of prostitutes in the country at 236,930 in 2016.

3.20 Czech Republic: Registration and Health Standards

The Czech Republic decriminalized prostitution in 1990, requiring sex workers to register and adhere to health and safety standards.

The Czech Republic decriminalized prostitution in 1990, following the end of communist rule. Sex workers are required to register, and health and safety standards are enforced. The legal age for engaging in sex work is 18 years. According to some estimates, 12,000 to 13,000 women worked as sex workers in the Czech Republic in 2019.

3.21 Luxembourg: Regulatory Framework

Luxembourg decriminalized prostitution and implemented a regulatory framework to govern the sex industry.

Luxembourg decriminalized prostitution and implemented a regulatory framework to govern the sex industry. Both selling and buying sex are legal activities for consenting adults in Luxembourg. The legal age for engaging in sex work in this country is 18 years. Brothels and other establishments must comply with specific standards for health and safety. There are estimated to be 300 prostitutes in Luxembourg, most of whom are immigrants.

3.22 Spain: Decriminalization and Tourism

Spain decriminalized prostitution in 1995, attracting tourists to cities like Barcelona and Madrid.

Spain decriminalized prostitution in 1995. Cities like Barcelona and Madrid are known for attracting tourists interested in the legal and regulated sex industry. Both selling and buying sex are legal activities for consenting adults in Spain. Edicos del Mundo estimates there are some 350,000 women in prostitution in Spain and 80% percent of them are foreigners without legal papers.

3.23 Mozambique: Widely Accepted

Prostitution is legal and widely accepted in Mozambique, though police often target sex workers due to loopholes in the law.

It is legal and widely accepted in Mozambique. However, police often target sex workers due to loopholes in the law. Encouraging, promoting, or facilitating ‘prostitution’ is criminalized under the penal code. If sex workers and clients have sex in a public place then liable to be arrested by police under the Penal Code for an outrage to public modesty. UNAIDS estimates there to be 13,554 prostitutes in the country.

3.24 Venezuela: Regulations and Human Trafficking Issues

Prostitution is legal in Venezuela, with regulations in place to govern the sex industry, but major issues like human trafficking persist.

Prostitution is legal in Venezuela, and there are regulations in place to govern the sex industry. Brothels and other establishments must comply with specific standards for health and safety. However, major issues like human trafficking persist due to prostitution being legal in the country. Victims are recruited through false job offers and subsequently forced into prostitution or conditions of labor exploitation. A study of 212 sex workers conducted in 2003 evaluated at a health center in a city near Caracas found that 91% of workers were Venezuelan.

3.25 Sierra Leone: Prohibited Third-Party Involvement

Prostitution is legal and commonplace in Sierra Leone, but third-party involvement is prohibited by the Sexual Offences Act 2012.

Prostitution is legal and commonplace and 3rd party involvement is prohibited by the Sexual Offences Act 2012. However, it is also a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking. UNAIDS estimates there are 240,000 prostitutes in the country.

3.26 Bolivia: Steps to Decriminalize and Regulate

Bolivia has taken steps to decriminalize and regulate prostitution, with the legal age for engaging in sex work being 18 years.

Bolivia has taken steps to decriminalize and regulate prostitution. The legal framework acknowledges sex work as a legitimate occupation and aims to provide certain protections for sex workers. The legal age for engaging in Bolivia is 18 years. In 2016 UNAIDS estimated there were 30,523 prostitutes in Bolivia.

3.27 Peru: Informal Sector Challenges

Peru has decriminalized adult consensual sex work, but the majority of prostitutes work in the informal sector, lacking health protection.

Peru has decriminalized adult consensual sex work. The vast majority of prostitutes work in the informal sector, where they lack health protection. Individual police officers tolerate the operation of unlicensed brothels. Peru is a source, transit point, and destination for trafficked persons. The majority of human trafficking occurs within the country. UNAIDS estimates there to be 67,000 prostitutes in the country.

3.28 Lebanon: Ambiguous Laws

Lebanon does not have clear-cut laws specifically addressing prostitution, making it subject to interpretation under existing legal provisions.

Lebanon does not have clear-cut laws specifically addressing prostitution. Instead, various aspects of sex work may be subject to interpretation under existing legal provisions related to morality and public order. The police are allowed to check whether the prostitutes are registered or not and have attended a clinic during the previous 20 days. In 2016 UNAIDS estimated there were 30,523 prostitutes in Bolivia.

3.29 Panama: Street Prostitution

Prostitution is legal in Panama, and street prostitution occurs on Avenida Ricardo Arias, Central Avenue, and Avenida Perú.

Prostitution is legal in Panama, and there are regulations in place to govern the sex industry. Street prostitution also occurs on Avenida Ricardo Arias, Central Avenue, and Avenida Perú. Unregistered prostitutes can still access health services at clinics such as the one in Santa Ana, Panama City. There were 2,650 sex workers registered with the government in 2008, but there was no accurate information regarding the total number of people practicing prostitution in the country.

3.30 Uruguay: Legalized and Regulated

Uruguay has legalized and regulated prostitution, with penalties for selling sex without a health card.

Uruguay has legalized and regulated prostitution. Both selling and buying sex are legal activities for consenting adults in Uruguay. It was legislated in 2002 through the sex work law. Article 31 of the law provides penalties for selling sex without a health card, and their names are placed on the register. UNAIDS estimates there are 8,195 prostitutes in Uruguay.

4. Navigating the Complexities: Ethical Considerations

When considering travel to countries where prostitution is legal, it’s crucial to address the ethical considerations involved.

4.1 Human Trafficking

One of the most significant concerns is the potential for human trafficking. Even in countries where prostitution is legal, trafficking can be a severe problem. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), trafficking victims are often lured with false promises of employment and then forced into prostitution.

4.2 Exploitation and Vulnerability

Many sex workers face exploitation and vulnerability, regardless of the legal status of prostitution in their country. Factors such as poverty, lack of education, and social stigma can contribute to these vulnerabilities.

4.3 Informed Choices

Travelers should make informed choices and consider the potential impact of their actions on the local communities and individuals involved in the sex industry. Supporting ethical and responsible tourism can help mitigate some of the negative consequences.

5. Countries Where Prostitution is Illegal

In contrast to the countries where prostitution is legal, many nations around the world have laws that prohibit it. Here is a list of countries where prostitution is illegal: