Place Premiums: Analysis of Place-Based Characteristics of Prostitutes in Yangon, Myanmar

Using data we collected on 395 female sex workers (FSWs) in Yangon, Myanmar, we compare the price of sexual services offered by FSWs to investigate whether this price is determined by where they find clients. Our estimates indicate that FSWs who find clients in bars or online charge 92% higher than those who find clients in brothels, while those who find clients in massage parlors charge 50% lower. Further examination of the underlying mechanisms reveals that place premiums are associated with three factors—commission, prostitutes’ characteristics, and typical services provided in each place.