Agency Report –
The number of registered sex workers in Germany rose by 5% to 32,300 in 2024, official figures showed on Thursday, as campaigners warned that the real number could be almost 10 times higher.
The Federal Statistical Office said 17% of registered prostitutes have German nationality, while 36% are Romanian, 11% Bulgarian and 8% Spanish.
Three-quarters of recognized sex workers were between 21 and 44 years old, with 22% older and 3% between the ages of 18 and 20.
Prostitutes are required under German law to register themselves, while prostitution businesses such as brothels require a licence.
Last year, the number of licences fell from 2,310 to 2,250.
The official figures do not include illegal prostitutes in Germany, estimates of which range from the tens of thousands to several hundred thousand.
Solwodi, an organization that looks after women in need, estimates that around 250,000 people are engaged in illegal prostitution in the country, according to chairwoman Maria Decker.
The figures include victims of human trafficking who are sexually exploited, she said.
Decker explained that prostitution in brothels is declining, but the illegal sex work in residential buildings is increasing, with customers being found via the internet.
Registering officially with the authorities is not an option for many of these people for various reasons.
More support services for illegal sex workers, such as exit programmes, are needed, she said.
“As a society, we shouldn’t look the other way,” said Decker.
