Alarming Surge in Trafficking Trends
According to the ‘Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2024‘ published by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), there has been a notable surge in human trafficking globally. Important discoveries show a startling rise in human trafficking in a number of areas.
Headline Statistics
- The number of victims of human trafficking worldwide increased by 25% between 2019 and 2022.
- Trafficking in forced labour has increased by 47%.
- 31% increase in child victims reported worldwide
Child Trafficking: A Growing Crisis
The report paints a particularly grim picture of child trafficking:
- 38% more girls were victims.
- Increased identification of male victims in regions where children are not accompanied
- Growing child trafficking, particularly sexual exploitation, in wealthy nations
Demographic Breakdown of Trafficking Victims
Gender and Exploitation
- Sixty-one percent of the victims found are women and girls.
- 60% of girls are victims of sexual exploitation trafficking.
- Forcible labour trafficking affects 45% of males.
- 47 percent of boys were exploited for other reasons, such as forced crime and begging.
Geographical Dimensions of Trafficking
African Trafficking Landscape
- Highest number of trafficking destinations
- 31% of cross-border flows involve African country citizens
- Most African victims trafficked within the continent
- Children more frequently detected than adults, particularly in forced labor and sexual exploitation
Global Trafficking Flows
- Victims from 162 different nationalities
- Detected in 128 different destination countries
- South Asian victims identified in 36 countries across multiple regions
Emerging Trafficking Trends
Forced Criminality in Trafficking
- 8% of all victims in 2022, up from 1% in 2016.
- Increasingly complex illicit trafficking techniques
- An increase in trafficking due to online scams
Sexual Exploitation in Trafficking
- 41% increase in detected victims compared to 2020
- Over 90% of sexual exploitation victims are women (64%) or girls (28%)
Trafficking Perpetrator Profile
Trafficking Investigations and Convictions
- About 70% of people who are looked at, charged, and found guilty are men.
- More than 25% of cases involving trafficking include women.
- Children are rarely listed as criminals.
Contextual Factors Driving Trafficking
The report highlights critical underlying drivers of human trafficking:
- Growing poverty over the world
- Persistent disputes
- Effects of climate change
- Insecurity and displacement
Methodology and Scope of Trafficking Report
The 2024 report provides the most comprehensive analysis to date:
- 156 nations were covered.
- The report’s best country coverage since its launch in 2009.
- represents a comprehensive, international viewpoint on human trafficking.
Conclusion
The UNODC report highlights the urgent need for comprehensive international measures to address this complicated and destructive issue and serves as a strong warning about the growing worldwide human trafficking crisis.