Germany recorded approximately 32,300 registered sex workers at the end of 2024, according to data released by authorities. This represents a 5.3 percent increase compared to the previous year (2023: 30,600). However, the number remains significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels, which stood at 40,400 in late 2019.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) also reported a slight decrease in the number of licenses for prostitution businesses, falling from 2,310 in 2023 to 2,250 at the end of 2024. In 2019, the number of registered prostitution businesses was 2,170. The statistics encompass registrations and licenses issued under the Prostituiertenschutzgesetz (ProstSchG), which has been in effect since July 1, 2017. Unregistered individuals and businesses are not included in the data.
Among the approximately 32,300 registered sex workers, the majority (24,100 or 75 percent) were between the ages of 21 and 44. 22 percent were 45 years or older, while 3 percent were between 18 and 20. German citizenship was held by 17 percent of the registered sex workers, totaling 5,600 individuals. The most common foreign nationalities were Romanian (11,500, representing 36 percent), Bulgarian (3,400, or 11 percent) and Spanish (2,600, or eight percent).
The data indicates that 93 percent of the registered prostitution businesses were establishments such as brothels. Prostitution agencies accounted for five percent of licenses and prostitution vehicles and events combined represented two percent.
