Red light - Six percent more prostitutes registered
The number of reported prostitutes in Germany is increasing. At the end of last year, approximately 30,600 prostitutes were registered with the authorities, which is 8.3% more than the previous year, according to the Statistical Office in Wiesbaden. This is once again an increase, but it has not yet reached the pre-Corona level. At the end of 2019, there were 40,400 registered prostitutes. Prostitute women have been required to register since 2017. Unregistered prostitutes are not included in the statistics.
Three quarters of the registered prostitutes were reportedly between 21 and 44 years old, around one fifth (21%) were 45 years or older, and four percent were between 18 and 20 years old. Eighteen percent were German citizens. The most common nationality was Romanian, with 36% of the prostitutes. Eleven percent had Bulgarian citizenship and 7% Spanish. The gender was not indicated during registration, so the Federal Office has no information on this.
Number of permits for prostitution activities unchanged
The number of valid or provisional permits for prostitution activities remained unchanged at 2,300 permits, according to the statistics office. At the end of 2019, the number of registered prostitution businesses was 2,200.
Ninety-three percent of the registered prostitution businesses were so-called prostitution stations, such as brothels. Five percent were prostitution agencies and two percent were prostitution vehicles or events. A permit is required for prostitution businesses. No information could be provided about unauthorized businesses, the Federal Office stated.
Since the introduction of the Prostitution Act in 2002, prostitution in Germany is no longer considered immoral, but is considered a normal business. The Prostitution Protection Law has required a business license for brothels since 2017. Prostitutes are required to register their activity and attend regular health consultations.
- Despite the increase in registered prostitutes, the number in Germany has not yet surpassed the pre-Coronavirus level, as stated by the Statistical Office based in Wiesbaden.
- Interestingly, the Coronavirus pandemic hasn't seemed to significantly impact the red light district of Germany, as the number of registered prostitution businesses remains stable, according to the Statistics Office's data.
- Despite the rise in reports of prostitutes in Germany, the country's Statistical Office in Wiesbaden has yet to provide detailed statistics on the gender of these women, as they do not indicate this during registration.
- In Germany, the majority of registered prostitution businesses are classified as prostitution stations, such as brothels, while a smaller percentage are prostitution agencies or events, as stated by the Federal Office's statistics.
