Countries Where Prostitution is Legal

Map

Table

Introduction

Prostitution is legal in a number of countries around the world, though the regulations surrounding it vary considerably. There are a number of factors that contribute to these differences, including cultural attitudes, economic conditions, and historical precedent. In some cultures, prostitution is seen as a form of exploitation of women, while in others it is seen as empowering them. In some places, prostitution is treated as a business and taxed as such, while in others it is illegal and heavily penalized. The historical relationship between a country and prostitution also plays a role; in countries where prostitution has been present for many years, it is generally more accepted than in places where it is relatively new. The economic conditions in a given country also play a role in determining its stance on prostitution. In countries with high levels of poverty and unemployment, prostitution may be seen as a way to make ends meet; in many parts of the world, prostitution is seen as a necessary evil that provides an income for women who may not have any other means of support.

CountryProstitution LegalityNotes Prostitution Legality
Afghanistan IllegalSex Outside of Marriage Is Punishable by Death.
Albania IllegalStill Widespread.
Angola IllegalLax Enforcement.
Armenia IllegalStill Exists, but Not Prevalent.
Azerbaijan IllegalStill Widespread.
Bahrain IllegalStill Exists, but Not Prevalent.
Barbados IllegalStill Exists, but Not Prevalent.
Belarus IllegalStill Widespread. Minor Offense.
Belize IllegalSelling Is Legal, but Buying, Organizing, Solicitation Illegal. Still Widespread.
Bhutan IllegalStill Exists, but Not Prevalent.
Brunei Illegal
Burundi IllegalStill Widespread.
Cambodia IllegalStill Widespread.
Cameroon IllegalStill Widespread.
Canada IllegalSelling Is Legal, but Buying, Organizing, Solicitation Illegal.
Chad IllegalStill Widespread.
Croatia IllegalStill Widespread.
Djibouti IllegalIllegal but Tolerated.
Egypt IllegalStill Exists, but Not Prevalent.
El Salvador IllegalLegal Some Places, Illegal in Others.
France IllegalSelling Is Legal, but Buying, Organizing, Solicitation Illegal. Loopholes Exist.
Georgia IllegalStill Widespread.
Ghana IllegalStill Widespread.
Guyana IllegalStill Widespread.
Haiti IllegalStill Widespread.
Iceland IllegalSelling Is Legal, but Buying, Organizing, Solicitation Illegal. Still Widespread.
Iran IllegalRepeat Offenders May Be Executed.
Iraq IllegalBuyer, Seller, and Organizer All Liable. Steep Penalties.
Ireland IllegalSelling Is Legal, but Buying, Organizing, Solicitation Illegal.
Israel IllegalSelling Is Legal, but Buying, Organizing, Solicitation Illegal.
Jamaica IllegalIllegal but Tolerated.
Jordan IllegalIllegal but Tolerated.
Kuwait IllegalStill Widespread.
Laos Illegal
Libya IllegalStill Widespread.
Lithuania IllegalStill Widespread.
Maldives IllegalStill Exists, but Not Prevalent.
Moldova IllegalStill Widespread.
Mongolia IllegalStill Widespread.
Morocco IllegalStill Widespread.
Myanmar IllegalStill Widespread.
Nepal Illegal
Niger IllegalStill Widespread.
North Korea IllegalPrevalence Unclear
Norway IllegalSelling and Brothels Are Legal, but Purchasing Illegal. Loopholes Exist.
Oman Illegal
Pakistan IllegalStill Common Despite Steep Penalties.
Palestine IllegalReportedly Still Legal in City of Ramallah
Papua New Guinea IllegalIllegal but Tolerated.
People's Republic of China IllegalFrequent Legal Exception: Happy Ending Massages.
Philippines IllegalIllegal but Tolerated.
Qatar IllegalSteep Penalties.
Russia Illegal
Rwanda IllegalStill Widespread.
Saudi Arabia IllegalSteep Penalties.
Somalia Illegal
South Africa IllegalStill Widespread.
South Korea IllegalIllegal but Tolerated.
Sri Lanka Illegal
Suriname IllegalStill Widespread. Lax Enforcement.
Sweden IllegalSelling and Brothels Are Legal, but Purchasing Illegal. Loopholes Exist.
Syria IllegalLax Enforcement.
Taiwan IllegalTechnically Legal in Special Zones... None of Which Exist.
Tanzania IllegalStill Widespread.
The Gambia IllegalStill Widespread.
Tunisia IllegalLegal in Two Small Areas of Country Only.
Turkmenistan IllegalStill Widespread.
Uganda IllegalStill Widespread.
Ukraine IllegalIllegal but Tolerated.
United Arab Emirates IllegalSteep Penalties.
United States of America IllegalIllegal in 49 of 50 States, but Still Prevalent.
Uzbekistan IllegalLax Enforcement.
Vietnam Illegal
Yemen IllegalStill Widespread.
Zimbabwe IllegalStill Widespread.
Eswatini IllegalIllegal but Tolerated.
Algeria Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Antigua and Barbuda Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Argentina Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Austria Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Belgium Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Benin Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Botswana Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Brazil Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Bulgaria Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Burkina Faso Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Central African Republic Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Chile Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Costa Rica Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Cuba Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels, Solicitation, and Pornography Illegal.
Cyprus Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Czech Republic Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Denmark Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Dominican Republic Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
East Timor Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Estonia Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Ethiopia Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Fiji Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Finland Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Guatemala Partially LegalProstitution and Brothels Legal, Pimping Illegal.
Honduras Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Hong Kong Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
India Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Italy Partially LegalProstitution Prohibited, but Many Loopholes Exist.
Ivory Coast Partially LegalProstitution Prohibited, but Many Loopholes Exist.
Japan Partially LegalProstitution Prohibited, but Many Loopholes Exist.
Kazakhstan Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Kenya Partially LegalRegulated by Local Laws in Some Places.
Kyrgyzstan Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Latvia Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Luxembourg Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Macau Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels, Solicitation, and Street Prostitution Illegal.
Madagascar Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Malawi Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Mali Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Malta Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Mexico Partially LegalVaries by State and Territory.
Monaco Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Namibia Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Nicaragua Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Nigeria Partially LegalVaries by State and Territory.
Paraguay Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Poland Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Portugal Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Republic of Macedonia Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Romania Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Senegal Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Singapore Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal. Lax Enforcement.
Solomon Islands Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal. Lax Enforcement.
South Sudan Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal. Lax Enforcement.
Spain Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels Are Gray Area, Solicitation Illegal.
Tajikistan Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Thailand Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels Are Gray Area, Solicitation Illegal.
The Bahamas Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Togo Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
Trinidad and Tobago Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.
United Kingdom Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal. Lax Enforcement.
Zambia Partially LegalProstitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal. Lax Enforcement.
Australia LegalVaries by State or Territory.
Bangladesh LegalSolicitation Still Illegal.
Bolivia LegalOrganized and Regulated.
Colombia LegalOrganized and Regulated. Inconsistent Enforcement.
Ecuador LegalOrganized and Regulated. Inconsistent Enforcement.
Eritrea Legal
Germany LegalOrganized and Regulated.
Greece LegalOrganized and Regulated. Illegal Prostitution Also Common.
Hungary LegalOrganized and Regulated.
Indonesia LegalFrowned Upon, but Widely Tolerated.
Lebanon LegalLightly Regulated.
Mozambique Legal
Netherlands LegalOrganized and Regulated.
New Zealand Legal
Panama LegalOrganized and Regulated.
Peru LegalOrganized and Regulated.
Sierra Leone Legal
Switzerland LegalOrganized and Regulated. Pimping and Forced Prostitution Still Illegal.
Turkey LegalOrganized and Regulated.
Uruguay LegalOrganized and Regulated.
Venezuela LegalOrganized and Regulated.

Prostitution Legality by Country

Afghanistan

See less

do_not_disturb_on

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Sex Outside of Marriage Is Punishable by Death.

Albania

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Algeria

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Angola

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Lax Enforcement.

Antigua and Barbuda

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Argentina

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Armenia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Exists, but Not Prevalent.

Australia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Varies by State or Territory.

Austria

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Azerbaijan

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Bahrain

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Exists, but Not Prevalent.

Bangladesh

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Solicitation Still Illegal.

Barbados

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Exists, but Not Prevalent.

Belarus

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread. Minor Offense.

Belgium

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Belize

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Selling Is Legal, but Buying, Organizing, Solicitation Illegal. Still Widespread.

Benin

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Bhutan

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Exists, but Not Prevalent.

Bolivia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Organized and Regulated.

Botswana

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Brazil

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Brunei

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Bulgaria

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Burkina Faso

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Burundi

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Cambodia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Cameroon

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Canada

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Selling Is Legal, but Buying, Organizing, Solicitation Illegal.

Central African Republic

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Chad

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Chile

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Colombia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Organized and Regulated. Inconsistent Enforcement.

Costa Rica

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Croatia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Cuba

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels, Solicitation, and Pornography Illegal.

Cyprus

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Czech Republic

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Denmark

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Djibouti

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal but Tolerated.

Dominican Republic

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

East Timor

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Ecuador

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Organized and Regulated. Inconsistent Enforcement.

Egypt

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Exists, but Not Prevalent.

El Salvador

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Legal Some Places, Illegal in Others.

Eritrea

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Estonia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Eswatini

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal but Tolerated.

Ethiopia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Fiji

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Finland

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

France

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Selling Is Legal, but Buying, Organizing, Solicitation Illegal. Loopholes Exist.

Georgia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Germany

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Organized and Regulated.

Ghana

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Greece

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Organized and Regulated. Illegal Prostitution Also Common.

Guatemala

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution and Brothels Legal, Pimping Illegal.

Guyana

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Haiti

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Honduras

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Hong Kong

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Hungary

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Organized and Regulated.

Iceland

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Selling Is Legal, but Buying, Organizing, Solicitation Illegal. Still Widespread.

India

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Indonesia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Frowned Upon, but Widely Tolerated.

Iran

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Repeat Offenders May Be Executed.

Iraq

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Buyer, Seller, and Organizer All Liable. Steep Penalties.

Ireland

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Selling Is Legal, but Buying, Organizing, Solicitation Illegal.

Israel

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Selling Is Legal, but Buying, Organizing, Solicitation Illegal.

Italy

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Prohibited, but Many Loopholes Exist.

Ivory Coast

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Prohibited, but Many Loopholes Exist.

Jamaica

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal but Tolerated.

Japan

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Prohibited, but Many Loopholes Exist.

Jordan

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal but Tolerated.

Kazakhstan

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Kenya

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Regulated by Local Laws in Some Places.

Kuwait

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Kyrgyzstan

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Laos

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Latvia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Lebanon

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Lightly Regulated.

Libya

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Lithuania

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Luxembourg

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Macau

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels, Solicitation, and Street Prostitution Illegal.

Madagascar

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Malawi

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Maldives

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Exists, but Not Prevalent.

Mali

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Malta

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Mexico

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Varies by State and Territory.

Moldova

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Monaco

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Mongolia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Morocco

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Mozambique

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Myanmar

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Namibia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Nepal

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Netherlands

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Organized and Regulated.

New Zealand

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Nicaragua

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Niger

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Nigeria

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Varies by State and Territory.

North Korea

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prevalence Unclear

Norway

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Selling and Brothels Are Legal, but Purchasing Illegal. Loopholes Exist.

Oman

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Pakistan

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Common Despite Steep Penalties.

Palestine

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Reportedly Still Legal in City of Ramallah

Panama

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Organized and Regulated.

Papua New Guinea

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal but Tolerated.

Paraguay

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

People's Republic of China

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Frequent Legal Exception: Happy Ending Massages.

Peru

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Organized and Regulated.

Philippines

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal but Tolerated.

Poland

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Portugal

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Qatar

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Steep Penalties.

Republic of Macedonia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Romania

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Russia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Rwanda

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Saudi Arabia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Steep Penalties.

Senegal

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Sierra Leone

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Singapore

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal. Lax Enforcement.

Solomon Islands

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal. Lax Enforcement.

Somalia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

South Africa

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

South Korea

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal but Tolerated.

South Sudan

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal. Lax Enforcement.

Spain

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels Are Gray Area, Solicitation Illegal.

Sri Lanka

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Suriname

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread. Lax Enforcement.

Sweden

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Selling and Brothels Are Legal, but Purchasing Illegal. Loopholes Exist.

Switzerland

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Organized and Regulated. Pimping and Forced Prostitution Still Illegal.

Syria

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Lax Enforcement.

Taiwan

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Technically Legal in Special Zones... None of Which Exist.

Tajikistan

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Tanzania

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Thailand

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels Are Gray Area, Solicitation Illegal.

The Bahamas

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

The Gambia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Togo

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Trinidad and Tobago

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal.

Tunisia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Legal in Two Small Areas of Country Only.

Turkey

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Organized and Regulated.

Turkmenistan

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Uganda

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Ukraine

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal but Tolerated.

United Arab Emirates

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Steep Penalties.

United Kingdom

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal. Lax Enforcement.

United States of America

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal in 49 of 50 States, but Still Prevalent.

Uruguay

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Organized and Regulated.

Uzbekistan

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Lax Enforcement.

Venezuela

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Organized and Regulated.

Vietnam

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Yemen

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.

Zambia

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Partially Legal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Prostitution Is Legal, Brothels and Solicitation Illegal. Lax Enforcement.

Zimbabwe

See more

add_circle

Prostitution Legality

help

Illegal

Notes Prostitution Legality

help

Still Widespread.