Archive · 2 Jun 2025
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Lead in Female Sex Worker Population
A recent study looked at where sex workers live in India to help fight HIV.
The study found that Karnataka has the most sex workers.
Other states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Telangana also have large numbers.
Telangana has a high number of sex workers in one place, or hotspot.
Most sex workers work from home.
The study also looked at transgender individuals and men who have sex with men.
This helps officials create better programs to help prevent the spread of diseases.
Karnataka has the largest share of India's total FSW population at 15.4%.
Telangana recorded the highest concentration of FSWs per hotspot.
Home-based sex work is the dominant model.
The study also assessed transgender individuals and men who have sex with men.
These five states account for over half (53%) of India's estimated female sex workers.
- Who
- Female sex workers, transgender individuals, and men who have sex with men (MSM).
- What
- A study mapping areas with high concentrations of female sex workers.
- When
- Recently published.
- Where
- Across 32 Indian states and UTs.
- Why
- To enable responsive public health strategies to tackle HIV.
- States with Highest FSW Population
- Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Telangana
- Total Estimated FSW Population
- 995,499
- FSW Hotspots Identified
- 43,579
- Districts Covered in Study
- 651
- Telangana FSW Density Per Hotspot
- 38
