Prostitution is estimated to involve around 42 million people worldwide, with legality varying by country. European countries like Germany exhibit progressive approaches to prostitution, legalizing and regulating the industry, while emphasizing sex workers' rights and protections. In Asia, countries such as Thailand and Japan present a contrast between official laws and practical enforcement, with thriving sex industries despite legal restrictions.
Prostitution is the practice, business, or occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone in exchange for payment. There are an estimated 42 million prostitutes around the world.
Prostitution occurs in a variety of forms, and its legality varies from country to country sometimes even from one state or county to another. This inconsistency reflects the wide range of national opinions that exist on issues surrounding prostitution, including exploitation, gender roles, ethics and morality, freedom of choice, and social norms.
Prostitution is seen as a major issue by many religious groups and feminist activist organizations. Some feminists believe that prostitution harms and exploits women and reinforces stereotypical views about women as sex objects.
Other feminists believe that prostitution is a valid choice for women who wish to engage in it. Similarly, the world's countries have adopted many different legal approaches regarding exactly which aspects of prostitution are legal or illegal and how best to regulate or eliminate the industry. It is important to note that a country's laws often fail to paint an accurate picture of the level of prostitution in that country. For instance, sex workers in many neo-abolitionist countries have found loopholes that have enabled prostitution to thrive despite the seemingly strict laws—for example, prostitutes may offer a perfectly legal service, such as a dance session, that just happens to progress to a sex act as an off-the-clock bonus.
