Human trafficking surge by 25% worldwide in 2022: UN report

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Wednesday reported a 25% rise in human trafficking globally in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels.

In its "2024 Global Human Trafficking" report, the UNODC highlights a sharp increase in trafficking for forced labor and criminal exploitation, exacerbated by poverty, conflict, and climate change.

According to the report, the global rate of people falling into the hands of human traffickers rose by 25% in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic figures. Specifically, between 2019 and 2022, the proportion of individuals trafficked for forced labor increased by 47%.

The report also highlights a 31% rise in the number of child victims, with girls making up 38% of the total. In developed countries, most children trafficked by human traffickers are subject to exploitation.

In 2022, 74,785 people fell victim to human traffickers, with 61% of the victims being women and girls.

The report states that 45% of boys trafficked by organized criminal groups were forced into labor, and 47% were coerced into various crimes, including begging.

It also notes that the majority of trafficking victims were in Africa, with the report covering 156 countries, published every two years since 2009.