Spaniards Have Rejected the World’s Oldest Profession: CIS Poll Reveals a Harsh Truth

Spaniards Have Rejected the World’s Oldest Profession: CIS Poll Reveals a Harsh Truth

Madrid, 2 March 2026 — While some debate whether prostitution is “just another job” or “a form of sexual freedom”, Spanish society has delivered a clear verdict: no, thank you—we pass.

A recent survey by the Centre for Sociological Research (CIS), commissioned by the Ministry of Equality, found that 7 out of 10 Spaniards believe women enter this field exclusively due to economic necessity. Yes—just like the rest of us dragging ourselves to an unloved job every morning for a paycheck… only most of us don’t have such an extreme KPI.

According to the study (10,019 respondents, February 2026), nearly 69% consider prostitution a form of violence against women (and among women themselves, the figure rises to 75%). Another 79% believe it undermines human dignity, and 41.5% explicitly cite coercion. The notion that “it’s just work” is rejected by an overwhelming majority—and the idea of “sexual freedom” is dismissed by nearly 80%.

But the most damning finding—for potential clients—is this: 63% of Spaniards (and 71% of women) would say “ugh!” to a male family member who paid for sex. And here’s the kicker for women: 91.2% stated they would never enter a relationship with a man who had ever paid a sex worker—even once. In effect, one visit to a “professional” lands you on a lifetime blacklist. Harsh—but honest.

Equality Minister Ana Redondo has already called the results a “mandate” for abolitionist policy: punishing pimps and clients—not the women—and expanding education and support for survivors. Society appears ready: for most Spaniards, prostitution is not business—it’s a symptom of inequality and exploitation.

So, for now, the world’s oldest profession is clearly losing favour in the eyes of the Spanish public.

Sources: Spanish Ministry of Equality, CIS (Study No. 3525 “Perceptions of Prostitution”), El País, RTVE, Infobae.