HUMAN TRAFFICKING STATISTICS
The following is a list of available statistics estimating the scope of Human Trafficking around the world and within the United States. Actual statistics are often unavailable, and some may be contradictory due to the covert nature of the crime, the invisibility of victims and high levels of under-reporting. Further obstacles include inconsistent definitions, reluctance to share data, and a lack of funding for and standardization of data collection. Particularly lacking are estimates on the number of American citizens trafficked within the U.S. Human Trafficking Worldwide:
27 million – Number of people in modern-day slavery across the world. (Source: Kevin Bales of Free the Slaves.)
According to the U.S. Department of State’s 2007 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report), estimates vary from 4 to 27 million.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates 2.4 million people were victims of human trafficking from 1995-2005. This estimate uses the UN Protocol definition of human trafficking, and includes both transnational and internal data.
800,000 – Number of people trafficked across international borders every year. (Source: U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007.)
2 million – Estimated number of children exploited by the global commercial sex trade, every year.
50% – Percent of transnational victims who are children. (Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Report to Congress from Attorney General John Ashcroft on U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons in Fiscal Year 2003: 2004.)
80% – Percent of transnational victims who are women and girls. (Source: U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007.)
70% – Percent of female victims who are trafficked into the commercial sex industry. This means that 30% of female victims are victims of forced labor. (Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Assessment of U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons: 2004.)
161 – Countries identified as affected by human trafficking: (Source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Trafficking in Persons: Global Patterns: April 2006.)
127 countries of origin; 98 transit countries; 137 destination countries. (Note: Countries may be counted multiple times and categories are not mutually exclusive.)
$32 billion – Total yearly profits generated by the human trafficking industry. (Source: ILO, A global alliance against forced labor: 2005.)
$15.5 billion is made in industrialized countries.
$9.7 billion in Asia
$13,000 per year generated on average by each “forced laborer.” This number can be as high as $67,200 per victim per year.
Foreign Nationals Trafficked into the U.S.: (Source: DOJ, HHS, DOS, DOL, DHS, and USAID. Assessment of U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons: June, 2004.)
14,500 - 17,500 – Number of foreign nationals trafficked into the United States every year.
This is the most recent U.S. government statistic. However, it is constantly being revisited, and a newer statistic is currently under study and review.
The TIP Report in 2001 estimated this number at 45,000-50,0001
The TIP Report in 2002 estimated 50,000
The TIP Report in 2003 estimated 18,000 – 20,0002
1, 379 – Number of foreign national victims of human trafficking certified by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from October 2000 through FY 2007. (Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Anti-trafficking in Persons Department; U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007.)
131 minors, and 1,248 adults
These victims originate from at least 77 different countries.
1,318 – Number of T visas granted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from FY 2000 through November 1, 2008 to human trafficking survivors. 729 visas were issued between FY 2000 and FY 2006. (Source: USCIS; U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007.)
Another 1,076 derivative T visas were granted to family members.
DHS is authorized to issue up to 5,000 T-visas per year.
Human Trafficking of U.S. citizens within the U.S.:
As of the end of 2009, the U.S. was named #1 destination for child sex trafficking.
300,000 – Number of American children and youth estimated to be at risk of child sexual exploitation, including commercial sexual exploitation
38,600 – Estimated number of an approximate 1.6 million runaway/thrownaway youth at risk of sexual endangerment or exploitation in 1999. (Source: U.S. Department of Justice: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Runaway/Thrownaway Children: National Estimates and Characteristics. NISMART Series: 2002.)
12-14 – Average age of entry into prostitution. (Source: Estes, Richard J. and Neil A. Weiner. The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work: 2001.)
Oklahoma is the 4th ranked state for child trafficking victims.
Houston, TX is the #1 city in the U.S. with human-trafficking victims.
The following is a list of available statistics estimating the scope of Human Trafficking around the world and within the United States. Actual statistics are often unavailable, and some may be contradictory due to the covert nature of the crime, the invisibility of victims and high levels of under-reporting. Further obstacles include inconsistent definitions, reluctance to share data, and a lack of funding for and standardization of data collection. Particularly lacking are estimates on the number of American citizens trafficked within the U.S. Human Trafficking Worldwide:
Human Trafficking of U.S. citizens within the U.S.:
http://www.dreamcenter.org/new/images/outreach/RescueProject/stats.pdf
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(updated: April 23, 2010)