Some 1.5 percent of young men and women aged 16-25 in Sweden -- where it's legal to sell sex but illegal to buy -- have had sex for payment, according to a new report by the Swedish National Board for Youth Affairs.

The study also showed that more men than women are having sex for payment, such as money, alcohol, drugs or shelter. 2.1 percent of men and 0.8 percent of women claim to have sold sex.

"We do not know why there are so many more young men than women who sell sex, one can only guess. We will do more research about this" project leader Karen Austin told TT.

Women sells sex almost exclusively to men, while young men's customers are both men and women.

The laws on prostitution in Sweden make it illegal to buy sexual services, but not to sell them. The criminalisation of the purchase, but not selling, of sex was unique when first enacted in 1999.

There is a strong correlation between sex for compensation and sexual abuse; 78 percent of those who have sold sex have been sexually abused, the study showed.

The Swedish National Board for Youth Affairs is a government agency that works to ensure that young people have access to influence and welfare. It also support the government in issues relating to civil society policy.

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