The escort industry, already widespread across parts of Europe, has also expanded throughout the Balkans, with many profiles linked to individuals advertising sexual services through online platforms.
In some countries, prostitution and related activities are illegal or heavily restricted. Authorities have also warned that trafficking networks may use online escort platforms to exploit women and force them into providing sexual services.
RKS News analyzed data from one of the largest online platforms advertising escort services, comparing listings across several Balkan countries.
While Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia have some of the lowest overall numbers of escort listings in the region, Serbia stands out in a different category.
According to the data analyzed, Serbia has the highest number of profiles listed as transgender among the Balkan countries included in the comparison.
Of the 1,726 escort profiles listed in Serbia, 57 were categorized as transgender.
Croatia ranked second. Out of 2,319 escort profiles, 41 were listed as transgender.
Albania followed with 29 transgender profiles out of 2,083 escort listings.
The remaining countries recorded single-digit figures.
Montenegro had 9 transgender profiles out of 1,649 total listings, while Kosovo had 8 out of 618.
North Macedonia recorded 6 transgender profiles out of 399 listings, while Bosnia and Herzegovina had 5 out of 339.
Based on the platform data analyzed by RKS News, Serbia therefore recorded the highest number of transgender escort listings among the Balkan countries included in the comparison.
Note: The figures are based on listings published on one of the largest online platforms offering escort advertisements. The platform is not named in order to avoid promoting the service or the activity associated with it. The term “transgender” reflects how profiles are categorized or presented on the platform and should not be interpreted as independently verified information about each individual.
