The Scale of Human Trafficking

Given the hidden nature of human trafficking, it is almost impossible to understand the full scope and scale of the issue. According to the latest report on forced labour by International Labor Organization(ILO), an estimated  50 million people are in modern slavery, including 27.6 million in forced labor, including 3.3 million children. Of those children, more than half are in commercial sexual exploitation.

Another 22 million people are in forced marriages – more than two-thirds of them women – and many victims are under 15 when the marriages take place. 

The Breakdown

Human trafficking and modern slavery do not discriminate; they affect men and women of all ages.

By Gender

71% of trafficking victims around the world are women and girls and 29% are men and boys.

By Age

30.2 million victims (75%) are aged 18 or older, with the number of children under the age of 18 estimated at 10.1 million (25%).

• 37% victims of trafficking in forced marriage were children.
• 21% victims of sexual exploitation were children.

By Industry

Forced labour takes place in many different industries.

While every industry is susceptible, those highlighted in the report are broken down as follows:

• 16 million (64%) forced labour victims work in domestic work, construction or agriculture.
• 4.8 million (19%) persons in forced sexual exploitation.
• 4 million (16%) persons in forced labour imposed by state authorities.

Debt Bondage

Debt bondage affected half of all victims of forced labour imposed by private actors. Debt bondage is used as a method of control and prevents trafficking victims from escaping.