10 Countries Where Prostitution Is Legalized

Yes, you read the headline right. Some countries have legalized prostitution and also provided sex workers with health and social benefits. Prostitution is one of the oldest and riskiest jobs in the world and even with the negativity that comes with the job and ban in some countries the job still exists.

However, some countries have decided to regulate prostitution, see them below:

1. Finland

Although street sex hawking is banned in Finland, clients still have access to sec hawkers through the use of Internet and personal ads.  Also purchasing or pimping a trafficked victim is banned

2. Costa Rica

Prostitution is completely legal in Costa Rica. It’s a common profession. However, some things are illegal in Costa Rica such as Pimping, prostitution rings, child prostitution and human trafficking.

The legalisation of prostitution in Costa Rica has made it a destination point for women and children who are being trafficked for sexual exploitation purposes.

3. New Zealand

Prostitution was legalized in New Zealand in 2003. There are even licensed brothels operating under public health and employment laws, which means the workers get social benefits just like other employees.

4. Austria

Austria makes money off prostitutes in the country. Prostitutes are required to register, undergo periodic health examinations, be 19 years old or older and pay taxes.

5. Bangladesh

Except for male prostitution, everything else is legal. Pimping and owning a brothel is also legal.

6. Denmark

In Denmark, prostitution was illegal in 1999, but the authorities wanted to keep watch over the industry. So they felt it would be easier to police a legal trade than an illegal one hence the approval of prostitution. Third-party activities such as coercion, procuring, trafficking, and the solicitation of minors, however, remain illegal.

7. Canada

In Canada, It is illegal to publicly market wares as a prostitute and also purchase sexual services but it is legal to be a sex worker, pimping or owning a brothel.

8. Germany

There are an estimated 400,000 prostitutes working in Germany. Prostitution brings in about six billion Euros each year with a clientele of an estimated 1.2 million.

The government, of course, withholds a portion of these revenues to contribute to social benefits and sex workers have pensions, health insurance, a regular 40-hour-workweek, and the option to join sex worker unions. Despite the nationwide laws, each city has the right to ban the profession in their area.

9. Greece

As long as you are 21 years old, registered and update your medical card every two weeks, then In Greece you can do pretty much anything that doesn’t involve sex trafficking. Brothels are legal and pimping is legal.

10. Colombia

It is legal to work in the sex industry in Colombia, though pimping isn’t. Prostitution is especially widespread in cities such as Cartagena and Barranquilla.