One in ten UK men admit to have paid for sex, study shows

The third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal) has found that one in ten British men have paid for sex.

Over 6,000 men were surveyed for the study. The results showed 3.6% had paid for sex in the last five years and 1.1% in the last year.

Single professional men aged 25 – 34 are said to make up the demographic most commonly paying for sex. The one in ten males who pay for sex are mostly young and inclined to hedonistic sexual behaviour.

Lead scientist at UCL Dr Cath Mercer believes that these findings quash the traditional stereotype of the “lonely older male” seeking to depart with cash for sex.

Concerns have been raised about men engaging in holiday sex. Figures show that, among men who have paid for sex, 62.6% have done so whilst abroad, most commonly in Europe and Asia. Research suggests that hotspots such as Amsterdam and Bangkok could be partly responsible for these figures.

Dr Mercer stated: “Paying for sex may seem more permissible abroad, at a place removed from the day-to-day lives of most men… Men who pay for sex are evidently at high risk of infection, but this does not necessarily mean that the STIs are spread through their paid sex.”

Ninette Osei Wilson