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 of registered sex workers remains significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels, which stood at 40,400 at the end of 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 close of 2024. In 2019, the number of registered prostitution businesses was 2,170. These figures encompass registrations and licenses issued under the Prostitution Protection Act (ProstSchG), which has been in effect since July 1, 2017. The statistics do not include unregistered individuals or businesses.
Among the 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 (5,600 individuals). The most common foreign nationalities were Romanian (11,500, or 36 percent), Bulgarian (3,400, or 11 percent) and Spanish (2,600, or eight percent).
The data indicates that 93 percent of 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.