According to data released by the Office for National Statistics, the prostitution market in the United Kingdom is worth $8.8 Billion, and the illegal drugs market in the UK is worth $7.3 Billion.
The ONS calculates that there are 58,000 prostitutes working across the entire United Kingdom.
(Number of prostitutes in the world.)
The two activities contribute to just under 1 percent of the total economic output of the UK.
Source: “National Accounts Articles – Impact of ESA95 Changes on Current Price GDP Estimates,” Office for National Statistics, May 29, 2014, page 4.
Source: Joshua Abramsky & Steve Drew, “Changes to National Accounts: Inclusion of Illegal Drugs and Prostitution in the UK National Accounts,” Office for National Statistics, May 29, 2014, page 19.