Human Trafficking by the Numbers
Human trafficking is a global crisis hiding in plain sight—and the numbers tell a powerful story of its scale and impact. Every year, millions of people—men, women, and children—are exploited through forced labor, sexual exploitation, and modern-day slavery. It’s a multibillion-dollar industry that thrives on vulnerability and silence, affecting communities across all 50 states.
These figures only scratch the surface—many cases go unreported, and survivors often remain unseen. Behind every number is a human being whose dignity and freedom have been stolen.
By understanding the scope of the problem, we can take stronger steps toward prevention, protection, and justice.
All Time Statistics (Since 2007)
The Human Trafficking Hotline has received 432,902 signals since its inception.
Hotline Call: 306,220
SMS Report: 61,387
Online Report: 31,868
Email Received: 25,197
Web Chat: 8,230
Cases since its inception, the Human Trafficking Hotline has identified 100,891 cases of human trafficking and 197,000 victims were identified in these cases.
Signals Received in 2023
30,162 signals were received by the Hotline in 2023 from National.
7,380 signals received were from victims or survivors of human trafficking
Cases Identified in 2023
9,619 cases were identified in 2023.
16,999 victims were involved in these cases. Cases can involve multiple victims.
Source: Statistics are from the National Human Trafficking Hotline. For more detailed data, visit humantraffickinghotline.org/en/statistics.
Human Trafficking: A Global Crisis
Human trafficking is a grave human rights violation affecting every region of the world. It is estimated that over 27 million people are currently trapped in modern slavery—forced to work, exploited for sex, or coerced into other forms of servitude. Traffickers prey on vulnerability, targeting people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, though marginalized and impoverished communities are often hit hardest.
This crime crosses borders and industries. Victims can be found in factories, farms, hotels, homes, and on the streets. From rural villages to major cities, no country is immune. The global trafficking economy generates billions of dollars annually, making it one of the most lucrative illegal enterprises worldwide.
Human trafficking is fueled by a complex mix of poverty, conflict, lack of education, and systemic inequality. Ending it requires coordinated international efforts—laws, enforcement, education, and survivor support—to dismantle the networks that allow it to thrive.
Understanding the global scale of human trafficking is the first step toward meaningful action. Together, we can work to create a world where exploitation is replaced by freedom, dignity, and opportunity for all.
Source: Data and insights are from the UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2024. Full report available at unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/glotip/2024/GLOTIP2024_BOOK.pdf.