Human trafficking globally

At any given time in 2021, there were an estimated 49.6 million victims of modern slavery (International Labour Organization); 10 million more people were in modern-day slavery compared with 2016 global estimates.

• The Asia and Pacific region has the highest number of people in modern slavery, and the Arab States region has the highest prevalence. But no region, rich or poor, is spared (ILO). 

• 26.7 million (54%) are female (ILO)

• 12 million, or nearly 1 in 4 victims of modern slavery, are children (ILO)

Human trafficking generates an estimated $236 billion a year, a 37% increase since 2014 (ILO)

A breakdown of modern-day slavery (ILO)

• 44% Forced marriage (22 million in forced marriage)

• 56% Forced labor (27.6 million in forced labor) 

  • Private sector 63% (17.3 million)

  • Forced sexual exploitation 23% (6.3 million)

  • State-imposed trafficking 14% (3.9 million)

Human trafficking in the United States

Human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states (Polaris).

• In 2025, the top six states were: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Georgia and Illinois. New York has consistently ranked in the top five states nearly every year since the hotline has published data due to its regular influx of vulnerable populations and accessibility to airports, highways and other forms of transportation.

• In 2025, there were 21,475 victims involved in cases identified by Polaris. 

• In 2025, 606 cases were identified in New York by Polaris 
  

Common industries and venues reported to the Human Trafficking hotline in the United States (Human Trafficking Hotline, 2025):

Sex trafficking

• Illicit massage parlors/spa businesses 649

• Residence-based commercial sex 632

• Hotel/motel-based 490

Labor trafficking

• Domestic work 617

• Illicit activity 163

• Restaurant/food Service 157

• Construction 147

• Agriculture/farms 133
  

Last updated October 11, 2026