Key Statistics on Child Trafficking

As a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting child trafficking and sexual exploitation, we believe that awareness and education are vital in combating this global crisis. This page provides comprehensive and up-to-date statistics on child trafficking, offering a deeper understanding of the scope and scale of this issue. By presenting these critical numbers, we aim to inform and inspire action, empowering you to join us in our mission to protect vulnerable children and end modern slavery.

global statistics

Number of Victims

Children make up nearly one-third of all detected trafficking victims globally. "Article Here" "Article Here"
Over 1 million children are estimated to be trafficked each year. "Article Here"

Forms of Exploitation

Sexual Exploitation: 21% of child trafficking victims face sexual exploitation, with girls being the primary targets. "Article Here"
Forced Labor: 43% of trafficked children are exploited for forced labor in domestic work, agriculture, and other sectors. "Article Here"
Other Forms: Includes forced marriage, illegal adoption, and use in armed conflict. "Article Here"

Demographics

Age: Victims are predominantly under the age of 18, with a significant number being as young as 12-14 years old. "Article Here"
Gender: Girls are primarily targeted for sexual exploitation, while boys are more commonly trafficked for labor. "Article Here"

Recruitment

Over 50% of child trafficking victims are recruited by family and friends. "Article Here"

Impact of COVID-19

The pandemic has shifted trafficking patterns and hindered victim identification, making children even more vulnerable. "Article Here"

Prosecution and Law Enforcement

Strong laws and high conviction rates are critical deterrents. Countries with rigorous legal frameworks see lower rates of child trafficking. "Article Here"

U.S. Statistics

Prevalence and Cases

In 2023, 98% of criminal cases filed included at least one charge of sex trafficking, and 2% involved forced labor. "Article Here"
Child sex trafficking has been reported in all 50 states. "Article Here"
On average, each trafficking defendant exploited 3.3 victims per case in 2023. "Article Here"

Victims and Vulnerabilities

Children under 18 involved in commercial sex acts are considered victims of trafficking under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. "Article Here"
The most common vulnerabilities for minor victims included running away from home, being in the foster care system, and past trafficking experience. "Article Here"

Online Exploitation

1 in 3 children encounter an unwelcome sexual experience online before turning 18, with early social media exposure increasing risk. "Article Here"
In 2023, CyberTipline received over 35.9 million reports of suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) incidents, a significant increase from previous years. "Article Here"

Impact of Technology

43% of children exposed to inappropriate sexual content online were under 13. "Article Here"
Online enticement reports increased by over 300% from 2021 to 2023. "Article Here"

Financial Aspects

Human trafficking is a $150 billion industry globally, with significant profits made from the exploitation of children. "Article Here"

Highest Rates of Child Trafficking by State

California: Over 1,500 cases reported in 2019.
Texas: High rates of both child and human trafficking.
Michigan and Missouri: Also noted for significant trafficking activities.
"Article Here"

Regional Statistics

Africa

West Africa: Nearly all human trafficking victims are children, with a high prevalence in countries like Nigeria and Ghana. "Article Here"
Nigeria: Reported 768 child trafficking victims in 2020. "Article Here"

Asia

Mekong Region: Countries such as Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam are significant hotspots for child trafficking. "Article Here"
Philippines: Notably high rates of child trafficking for sexual exploitation and online sexual abuse. "Article Here"

Europe

Romania: One of the highest rates of child trafficking in Europe, with 282 cases reported in 2021. "Article Here"
United Kingdom: Documented 191 child trafficking victims in recent years. "Article Here"

North America

Mexico: Significant numbers of trafficked children, often for labor and sexual exploitation. "Article Here"