By Konstantin Marrach
Germany in the red light. According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 28,280 women in the Federal Republic were officially registered under the Prostitute Protection Act by the end of 2022. But in fact there are far more sex workers who work without registration.
According to unofficial estimates, there are between 200,000 and 400,000 women across Germany. The online portal “Erobella”, which deals with erotic services, has now carried out an investigation and determined a different number.
According to this, around 80,800 sex workers work in Germany. At 1,700, there are the most prostitutes in Hamburg. Cologne follows in second place with 1,651 women. Berlin follows in third place in this calculation. There are 1,585 sex workers in the capital.
This is followed by Frankfurt/Main (930), Nuremberg (628), Essen (613), Hanover (599) and Dortmund (552).
How was this calculation made? Explained as simply as possible: The portal determined the actual number of registered sex workers in the 20 largest German cities. This data was then compared with a study by the “Dona Carmen” association. This had put red light offers in relation to the population density and population size of many German cities and regions.
Ultimately, the new study found that for every sex worker officially registered in Germany, there are 2.14 unregistered women. An unreported number of 60,520 prostitutes was calculated. With the 28,280 registered women, that makes a total of 80,800 sex workers.
And the conclusion of the investigation? “The real figures show that sex work in Germany is not the monstrous picture that is often portrayed,” says Ola Miedzynska, co-founder of “Erobella”. “Instead of stigmatization and exaggeration, the industry needs education and support.”
She emphasizes: “Only with a realistic view can we sustainably improve the living and working conditions of sex workers.”