The number of registered sex workers in Thuringia has increased significantly compared to the previous year, according to new data from the State Office for Statistics. One district and one city stand out in the latest figures.
At the end of last year, 242 sex workers were officially registered in Thuringia. That represents an increase of 73 compared to the year before. However, the number remains well below pre-pandemic levels: in 2019, authorities recorded 384 registered sex workers across the state.
The category of sex work includes porn actresses, brothel employees, and escort service providers.
Origins and age groups
The statistics show that a large share of the registered workers come from abroad. Of the 242 individuals, 54 held Romanian citizenship, 40 Hungarian, and 37 Bulgarian.
Most registered sex workers were between 21 and 45 years old, according to the statistical office.
The data also reveal clear regional patterns. The district of Gotha accounted for 31 percent of registrations, the highest share in the state. Meanwhile, the city of Erfurt recorded around 27 percent of the total.
Broader Trends in the Sex Industry
As Sex Vienna wrote in a report last year, the COVID pandemic reshaped the sex industry across Austria and neighboring countries. According to their findings, nearly one third of legal sex businesses and registered sex workers disappeared in the years following the pandemic.
While many brothels shut their doors, illegal apartment prostitution surged. Police in Vienna, for example, recorded only 40 cases in 2019, but that number jumped to 867 in 2021. Even after restrictions eased, hundreds of cases continued to be reported each year.
The decline in registered sex workers across Austria mirrors what Thuringia experienced. Before the pandemic, about 8,000 sex workers were officially registered nationwide; by 2023, the figure had dropped to around 5,000.
This shows that the pandemic not only disrupted businesses but also pushed parts of the sex trade further into the shadows.
The Sex Vienna article also highlighted the risks of illegal work: lack of health checks, no tax or licensing, and greater exposure to unsafe situations without proper protection.
In contrast, regulated clubs and brothels in Austria emphasize professional management, security staff, and alarm systems that help ensure a safer environment for both workers and clients.
Conclusion
The latest figures from Thuringia show that the number of registered sex workers is slowly rising again, though still below pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, reports from Austria underline how fragile the industry can be when external pressures, such as a global pandemic, shift the balance between legal and illegal work.
Experts suggest that stable regulations, effective enforcement, and safe working conditions remain key to ensuring that sex work stays within the legal framework and does not drift underground.
Do you want to start your sex work carrier in Vienna? Then don’t miss our essential guide in this topic: 6 steps to get a sex job in Vienna