Human Trafficking Statistics By Region, Demographics, Age, Industry, Venues and Facts

Introduction

Human Trafficking Statistics: Human trafficking is a global issue affecting millions of people. It involves the illegal trade of humans for forced labor, sexual exploitation, or other forms of exploitation. According to international reports, over 27 million people are estimated to be victims of trafficking worldwide. Women and children are among the most affected groups, making up the majority of those trafficked.

Human trafficking happens in almost every country, with victims often tricked or forced into situations they cannot escape. Governments and organizations are working to collect data, raise awareness, and combat this crime. Understanding the current analyses and trends behind trafficking is vital to finding solutions and protecting vulnerable individuals. Every statistic represents a life needing justice and freedom.

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• Human Trafficking Statistics state that approximately 49.6 million people are subjected to modern slavery worldwide, including 12 million children.
• Women and girls constitute 54% of those in modern slavery and 61% of detected trafficking victims.
• One in three detected trafficking victims is a child, with increasing exploitation in forced labor and criminal activities.
• This is now the predominant form of trafficking globally, with significant cases in industries like construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.
• In the UK, 90% of those trafficked for sexual exploitation are women and girls.
• Traffickers increasingly use digital platforms to recruit victims, exploiting the anonymity and reach of the internet.
• Moreover, forced commercial sexual exploitation generates approximately USD 173 billion in illegal profits annually.
• In 2023, there were 7,115 convictions related to human trafficking globally, up from 5,577 in 2022.
• Around 133,943 victims were identified worldwide, an increase from 115,324 in 2022.
• In 2022, 88 million child sexual abuse material files were reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

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General Human Trafficking Statistics

• According to the ILO, approximately 27.6 million people are trapped in forced labour and sexual exploitation globally.
• The Global Report on Trafficking in Persons revealed that 49% of victims are women, 23% are men, and 28% are children.
• The latest global report in 2022 showed over 450,000 trafficking victims identified between 2003 and 2021 from 141 countries.
• In 2022, a report revealed that 50 million people faced modern slavery daily in 2021.
• This included 27.6 million in forced labor and 22 million trapped in forced marriages.
• Human Trafficking Statistics show that every day, 35 million people are victims of sex trafficking worldwide.
• Annually, 4.5 billion face forced sexual exploitation, and only 0.4% of victims escape.
• Globally, human enslaved people are valued at USD 90.
• Half of all trafficking cases happen in the U.S., with women being affected more than men in sex trafficking.

Types of Human Trafficking Statistics

• As of April 2024, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has received 432,902 signals since its inception, identifying 100,891 cases involving 197,000 victims.
• In 2023 alone, the hotline received 30,162 signals nationwide, 7,380 of which came from victims or survivors.

(Reference: humantraffickinghotline.org)

• Sex trafficking affects the highest number of victims, with 5,572 people suffering from this crime.
• Labor trafficking impacts 1,558 individuals, often forcing them to work in areas like farming, building, or household jobs.
• Sex and labor trafficking together harm 1,021 people, involving both forced labor and sexual exploitation.

Human Trafficking Victims Statistics in the United States

(Source: criminalattorneycolumbus.com)

• Nevada has the most human trafficking victims per 100,000 people, with 58.48 victims for every 100,000 residents.
• Although ranked 32nd in population with 3,194,176 people, it reported 1,868 confirmed cases from 2019 to 2023.
• During the same period, Georgia ranked second in human trafficking victims per 100,000 people, with 5,140 cases, averaging 46.60 victims.

Furthermore, other top 8 states of the U.S. victims were detailed in the table below:

• Human Trafficking Statistics also show that Human trafficking happens in all U.S. states, but Rhode Island has the fewest victims per 100,000 people.
• From 2019 to 2023, there were only 89 confirmed cases, which equals 8.12 victims per 100,000 people.

By Region, 2024

• Human Trafficking Statistic Fs also show that the Asia-Pacific region leads with 15 million victims, mainly forced labor or sexual exploitation.
• Africa: About 7.5 million people with children are frequently targeted for trafficking and forced Work.
• Europe: Close to 5 million victims, many exploited in cross-border labor and sexual industries.
• Americas: Reports 4.8 million cases, with half occurring in the United States.
• Middle East: Around 2.3 million individuals are often trapped in domestic Work or forced labor conditions.

Human Trafficking Victim Statistics By Case Demographics

• Human trafficking affects people differently based on gender and citizenship. Most victims are females, totaling 6,863, while 1,480 are males.
• Regarding citizenship, 1,152 victims are foreign nationals, and 934 are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPR).

By Age Group

(Reference: migrationdataportal.org)

• As of 2024, most victims are aged 9-17 (21.2%), followed by those aged 30 to 38, making up 19.1%.
• Besides other age groups of people, those are the victims of human trafficking are 18 to 20 years (11%), 21 to 23 years (10.6%), 24 to 26 years (10.1%), 39 to 47 years (9%), 27 to 29 years (8.6%), 48+ years (5.7%) and 0 to 8 years (4.7%).

By Country

• As of 2024, the top 3 countries with the highest number of identified human trafficking victims are India, with approximately 14 million victims, followed by China (3.2 million) and Pakistan (2.1 million).

Furthermore, other countries number of victims are detailed in the table below:

Human Trafficking Statistics Based on Children

• One-third of children begin using social media by age five or younger, facing significant online risks.
• By age 18, one in three children will likely face unwanted sexual experiences online.
• Early exposure to social media often leads to more harm, especially for children between the ages of 11 and 12, when many get their first smartphones.
• Kids with disabilities, special needs, or who identify as LGBTQ+ are 2 to 4 times more likely to share explicit images compared to other children.
• Nearly 43% of children exposed to inappropriate sexual content online are under 13.

Top  5 Industry Faced Human Trafficking

• Based on Human Trafficking Statistics in 2024, the Sex Industry leads with 51% of trafficking cases globally.
• The agricultural sector accounts for 11%, with victims forced into hard labor under poor conditions.
• The construction segment represents 9%, where trafficked individuals endure unsafe work environments.
• Domestic Work makes up 7%, exploiting victims as housekeepers or caregivers without fair wages or freedom.
• Manufacturing covers 6%, involving forced labor in factories producing goods for global markets.

Venues for Sex Trafficking Statistics

• Human Trafficking Statistics also report that around 618 cases involve commercial sex taking place in private homes.
• Another 185 cases are connected to online ads, but the locations are not identified.
• Meanwhile, 182 cases are linked to illicit massage or spa businesses, while 143 cases involve escort or delivery services.
• Clubs, like hostesses or strip clubs, account for 43 cases, and truck stops are linked to 36 cases.
• Tourism-related trafficking is less common, with only 5 cases reported.
• However, the largest number of trafficking incidents, 3,233 cases, occur in other unspecified locations.

Venues for Labor Trafficking Statistics

• Labor trafficking happens in many workplaces, with victims forced to work under unfair conditions.
• The most reported cases are in domestic Work, with 248 victims. Restaurant and food services account for 122 cases.
• Illicit activities involve 35 victims while begging rings exploit 33 individuals.
• Landscaping services force 30 workers, and healthcare and housekeeping each have 22 victims.
• Health and beauty services exploit 18 people, traveling sales crews 17, and arts and entertainment 16.
• Professional or scientific services account for 14 cases, peddling rings 13, hostess or strip clubs 6, and mining or extraction industries 4.
• Other venues involve 617 victims.

Investigative Agency in Human Trafficking Cases Statistics

(Reference: statista.com)

• Human Trafficking Statistics in 2023 further state that the FBI led investigations in 41% of human trafficking cases in the United States.
• Homeland Security Investigations handled 22% of these cases.
• In contrast, state or local agencies are the primary investigative agencies in human trafficking cases (17%), followed by others (20%).

Law Enforcement Statistics of Trafficking, 2024

• Human Trafficking Statistics show that globally there were 133,943 victims were found, 7,115 convictions happened, and 14 new trafficking laws were created or updated.
• Africa: 21,877 victims identified, 758 convictions, and two new laws passed.
• East Asia & Pacific: 6,543 victims identified, 1,802 convictions, and two new laws introduced.
• Europe: 32,996 victims identified, 1,667 convictions, and four new laws implemented.
• Near East: 3,450 victims identified, 770 convictions, and two new laws added.
• South & Central Asia: 50,815 victims identified, 1,245 convictions, but no new laws.
• Western Hemisphere: 18,292 victims identified, 873 convictions, and four new laws enacted.

Global Initiatives Against Human Trafficking Statistics

• In 2024, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported a 25% increase in detected human trafficking victims compared to 2019.
• Alarmingly, children now represent 38% of these victims, with a notable 38% rise among girls.
• Forced labor cases surged by 47% during this period.
• Women and girls continue to comprise 61% of all detected victims, predominantly trafficked for sexual exploitation.
• The report emphasizes that poverty, conflict, and climate change exacerbate vulnerabilities.
• Cross-border collaborations, survivor support programs, and technology-driven solutions are essential to effectively combating this USD 150 billion criminal industry.
• Despite these efforts, only 0.4% of victims are identified and receive assistance. 

Conclusion

Human trafficking is a serious crime that affects millions of people worldwide. It exploits vulnerable individuals, stripping them of freedom and dignity. To combat this issue, we must raise awareness, strengthen laws, and support survivors in rebuilding their lives. Everyone has a role to play in preventing trafficking by staying informed and reporting suspicious activities.

Together, globally, people can create a safer, more just society where human rights are protected and no one falls victim to such exploitation.