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