Human trafficking is a global threat necessitating a global response. It is a crisis that has reached previously unimagined proportions, and data is needed to increase the prosecution of traffickers, provide victim-centred and trauma-informed protection for victims of trafficking, and prevent this crime altogether. (United States of America Department of State, 2020)

https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/5035406/

A total of 191,904 trafficking victims have been identified globally over the years with a gradual increase in numbers observed over time. A 284 percentage increase is seen between 2008, the first year of record, and 2019, the last recorded year. This could be attributed to various reasons, some being the limited reporting and record-keeping done in the early years globally, as well as the lack of trafficking laws. (United States of America Department of State, 2020)

https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/5035421/

Labour is one of the two forms of exploitation faced, with a total victim number of 37,773 between the years of 2012 and 2019. 2019 had the lowest numbers on record, with a 90% decrease from 2016 which had the highest numbers. (United States of America Department of State, 2020)

It is important to note that these are estimates and aggregate data fluctuates due to the hidden nature of trafficking crimes, dynamic global events, shifts in government efforts, and a lack of uniformity in national reporting structures. (United States of America Department of State, 2020)

https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/5150529/

Data shows that the highest numbers of trafficking victims are females compared to males. The highest number of female victims are aged between 18 to 20 years. The highest number of male trafficked victims are 0 to 8 years. (Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative, 2020)

https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/5026013/

Over the years the number of adults who have been assisted has been significantly higher than children. Children assisted were 31 in 2018 which was the highest number recorded, only for that number to reduce by 48% to 16 in the next year. (Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative, 2020)

https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/5034451/

The majority of victims trafficked globally are trafficked for sex (76%); the next purpose is for labour(14%). (Counter-Trafficking Data Collaborative, 2020)