Human trafficking rates in Central Asia are not declining – UN

Globally, the number of human trafficking victims is rising again after a temporary decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, as highlighted in the report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The report, which includes data from 156 countries, underscores alarming trends. It reveals that between 2019 and 2022, the number of victims increased by 25%.

Key factors contributing to vulnerability include poverty, armed conflicts, and the climate crisis. Notably, there has been a significant rise in child exploitation and forced labor cases.

“Criminals are increasingly exploiting people for forced labor, including complex online fraud and cybercrimes. At the same time, women and girls face heightened threats of sexual exploitation and gender-based violence,” said Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the UNODC.

She emphasized the urgent need to intensify prosecutions to hold criminal network leaders accountable, rescue victims, and provide support to those affected. Achieving this requires stronger coordination among countries.

The UNODC report highlights that in 2022, the number of children affected by human trafficking rose by 31% compared to 2019, with cases involving girls increasing by 38%.

“Wherever there are large numbers of children separated from their parents or left without adult supervision, boys are more likely to fall into the hands of human traffickers,” the report notes.

Child trafficking is also rising in high-income countries, where girls are frequently subjected to sexual exploitation. The study reveals that women and girls account for the majority of identified victims worldwide, comprising 61% of cases. Of the girls targeted, 60% were exploited sexually.

Among boys, 45% were subjected to forced labor, while 47% faced other forms of exploitation, including involvement in criminal activities and begging.

Human trafficking for criminal exploitation, including online fraud, ranked as the third most common form of exploitation. Cases of this type increased from 1% in 2016 to 8% in 2022.

The report underscores that the dynamics of human trafficking vary by region. While cases have surged in North America, Western Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa, regions like South America, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia remain below pre-pandemic levels.