Human trafficking is a devastating and widespread issue, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Here are some statistics concerning human trafficking:
- According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are an estimated 21 million victims of forced labor and human trafficking worldwide.
- A significant number of human trafficking victims are children. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) estimates that approximately 1.2 million children are trafficked each year.
- Human trafficking generates approximately $150 billion a year worldwide, making it one of the most profitable criminal industries globally.
- Over 70% of trafficking victims globally are female, and the majority of trafficking victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation.
- In 2019, a total of 11,500 human trafficking cases were reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline in the United States.
- The Asia-Pacific region accounts for the largest number of trafficking victims globally, with an estimated 11.7 million victims.
- In Europe, an estimated 140,000 individuals are exploited through human trafficking each year, with the majority of victims being trafficked for sexual exploitation.
It is important to note that due to the often hidden and illegal nature of human trafficking, accurate statistics are difficult to gather, and the actual numbers may be much higher than reported.