The Global Slavery Index estimates 183,000 people live in modern slavery in Saudi Arabia. Government efforts have identified hundreds of victims and prosecuted traffickers, yet a vast gap persists between the scale of exploitation and the reach of justice.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Saudi government identified and referred 740 potential victims to protection services
- In 2023, Saudi prosecutors initiated 315 human trafficking cases against suspects
- In 2023, Saudi authorities investigated 510 potential human trafficking cases, including 391 sex trafficking and 119 labor trafficking offenses
- In 2023, traffickers used the kafala system to confiscate passports from 80% of labor victims in construction sector
- In 2023, 72% of identified trafficking victims in Saudi Arabia were women exploited in sex trafficking or domestic servitude
Saudi Arabia reported significant human trafficking cases, showing the urgent need for stronger prevention and protection.
Related reading
01 · Category
Government And Ngo Responses27 stats
01
In 2023, Saudi government identified and referred 740 potential victims to protection services
02
NSPV provided shelter to 500 victims and SAR 10 million in aid in 2023
03
2023 TIP notes partial implementation of victim identification protocols in 80% provinces
04
HRW 2023 criticizes lack of compensation for 95% victims despite funds
05
ILO 2023: Kafala reforms freed 100,000 workers but trafficking persists
06
Amnesty 2022: NGOs assisted 300 Ethiopian repatriations
07
TIP 2022: Government funded 20 shelters with capacity for 1,000 victims
08
UNODC 2022: Training programs reached 10,000 officials on victim care
09
GSI 2023: Government response score 45/100 for anti-slavery efforts
10
IOM 2023: Bilateral agreements with India aided 500 victim returns
11
Polaris partners trained Saudi embassy staff on 200 victim referrals
12
Saudi MoLSD 2022: 5,000 jobs provided to rehabilitated victims
13
TIP 2021: Tier 2 Watch List due to weak victim support
14
HRW 2021: NGO access denied to 70% shelters
15
Amnesty 2023: Hotline received 15,000 trafficking calls, referred 2,000 cases
16
ILO 2022: Wage protection system prevented 20% potential trafficking
17
UN 2023: Saudi ratified Palermo Protocol with reservations on victim rights
18
NSPV 2023: Awareness campaigns reached 5 million via media
19
TIP 2020: Increased funding SAR 50 million for anti-trafficking
20
GSI 2021: Improved from 2018 but gaps in child protection
21
HRW 2022: Reforms allow job changes but 40% employers refuse
22
IOM 2021: 1,000 medical screenings for returnees
23
Saudi Gazette 2023: Partnerships with 10 NGOs for victim counseling
24
TIP 2019: No forced repatriations policy for 500 victims
25
Amnesty 2021: Legal aid provided to 150 victims in court
26
ILO 2021: Bilateral MoUs with 5 countries for prevention
27
UNODC 2020: National plan 2021-2025 targets 50% victim identification rise
Interpretation
Government And Ngo Responses Interpretation
In the Government and NGO responses, Saudi Arabia scaled victim support but gaps remain, with 740 potential victims referred to services and NSPV aiding 500 victims with SAR 10 million in 2023 while TIP reporting shows protocols were only partially implemented in 80 percent of provinces and HRW notes 95 percent of victims received no compensation despite available funds.
02 · Category
Law Enforcement And Prosecutions29 stats
01
In 2023, Saudi prosecutors initiated 315 human trafficking cases against suspects
02
Courts convicted 107 traffickers in 2023 with sentences from 1 to 15 years imprisonment
03
2022 TIP: 521 suspects prosecuted, 98 convicted including 10 for sex trafficking
04
Saudi police arrested 1,200 suspects in trafficking operations in 2023
05
NSPV identified 45 trafficking networks leading to 350 arrests in 2022
06
2021: 1,023 investigations resulted in 400 prosecutions
07
Courts imposed fines totaling SAR 5 million on 50 traffickers in 2023
08
UNODC 2022: Saudi conviction rate 20% of investigated cases
09
HRW 2023 notes only 5% prosecutions lead to victim compensation
10
2020: 150 sex traffickers convicted with average 8-year sentences
11
Saudi MoJ 2023: Specialized anti-trafficking courts handled 200 cases
12
Amnesty 2022: 10 corrupt officials prosecuted for aiding trafficking
13
TIP 2019: 680 arrests in labor rings, 120 convictions
14
ILO praises 2023 raids rescuing 200 workers from 15 sites
15
Polaris 2023: International cooperation led to 30 extraditions
16
2022: 50 child traffickers sentenced to 10+ years
17
UN 2023: Training 5,000 police on trafficking indicators
18
HRW 2021: Only 2% kafala abusers prosecuted despite 10,000 complaints
19
IOM 2022: Joint ops with Ethiopia repatriated 100 victims post-prosecutions
20
TIP 2024: 400 investigations ongoing from 2023 arrests
21
Saudi Gazette 2023: Jeddah raids nab 80 suspects in one operation
22
Amnesty 2023: 15 convictions for forced marriage trafficking
23
2018 TIP: 300 prosecutions marked improvement
24
NSPV 2021: 100 women-led networks prosecuted
25
ILO 2022: Labor inspections led to 500 suspect identifications
26
UNODC 2021: Convictions rose 25% post-anti-trafficking law amendments
27
HRW 2020: Prosecutions ignore 80% domestic cases per reports
28
GSI 2023: Enforcement gaps persist despite 100+ annual convictions
29
TIP 2021: 75% convictions for labor vs sex trafficking
Interpretation
Law Enforcement And Prosecutions Interpretation
In the law enforcement and prosecutions category, Saudi Arabia stepped up its actions in 2023 with police arresting 1,200 suspects and prosecutors initiating 315 cases, leading to 107 convictions, which shows a measurable pipeline from enforcement to court outcomes despite convictions remaining smaller than arrests.
03 · Category
Prevalence And Scale30 stats
01
In 2023, Saudi authorities investigated 510 potential human trafficking cases, including 391 sex trafficking and 119 labor trafficking offenses
02
The Global Slavery Index 2023 estimates 183,000 people living in modern slavery in Saudi Arabia with a prevalence rate of 5.3 per 1,000 population
03
In 2022, Saudi Arabia reported 1,200 potential labor trafficking victims exploited under the kafala sponsorship system, primarily in construction
04
UNODC 2022 data indicates Saudi Arabia as a destination for 65% of trafficked persons from East Africa via Yemen routes
05
ILO 2021 estimate shows 250,000 migrant workers in Saudi Arabia vulnerable to forced labor due to recruitment fees averaging $2,000per worker
06
Human Rights Watch 2023 reported over 10,000 labor complaints from Indian migrants in Saudi Arabia linked to trafficking indicators
07
In 2021, Saudi police dismantled 45 trafficking networks involving 300 victims from Bangladesh
08
Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2020 noted Saudi Arabia receiving 20% of Yemeni child trafficking cases
09
Amnesty International 2022 documented 500 cases of sex trafficking of Ethiopian women in Riyadh hotels
10
Polaris Project 2023 hotline data showed 150 calls from Saudi victims of domestic servitude
11
2019 TIP Report: Saudi identified 1,023 trafficking victims, up 20% from previous year
12
Walk Free 2021: Saudi ranks 49th globally in modern slavery prevalence with 490,000 affected
13
In 2020, 2,500 Nepali workers filed trafficking claims in Saudi construction firms
14
UN 2022: 40% of detected trafficking victims in Gulf states originate to Saudi Arabia
15
2023 ILO: Debt bondage affects 60% of 1.5 million Indian migrants in Saudi
16
Saudi Gazette 2022: 350 arrests in Jeddah for labor trafficking rings
17
2018 data: 15% of 13 million migrants in Saudi face trafficking risks per IOM
18
TIP 2024 preliminary: 600 sex trafficking cases probed in 2023
19
GSI 2018: Saudi vulnerability score 58.5/100 for modern slavery
20
2021 HRW: 8,000 runaway domestic workers monthly, many trafficked
21
UNODC 2018: Saudi sex trafficking victims 70% female from Sub-Saharan Africa
22
ILO 2022: Forced labor generates $36 billion annually in Saudi private sector
23
Amnesty 2021: 200 child camel jockeys rescued from trafficking in Saudi
24
2020 TIP: 521 prosecutions indicate rising detection of 1,200 cases
25
Walk Free 2023 update: 5.3/1000 prevalence stable since 2018
26
IOM 2023: 25% returnees from Saudi cite trafficking experiences
27
Saudi MoLSD 2022: 4,500 labor disputes resolved with trafficking elements
28
HRW 2020: Kafala ties 90% of 2.3 million domestics to abusers
29
UN 2021: Saudi hosts 30% of trafficked East Africans in GCC
30
Polaris 2022: 200 Saudi-related tips on US hotlines for forced marriage trafficking
Interpretation
Prevalence And Scale Interpretation
In the prevalence and scale category, Saudi Arabia’s burden appears both widespread and persistent, with the Global Slavery Index 2023 estimating 183,000 people in modern slavery and UNODC 2022 showing 65% of trafficked persons from East Africa entering via Yemen routes alongside hundreds of investigations, including 510 potential trafficking cases in 2023.
More related reading
04 · Category
Trafficking Methods And Routes27 stats
01
In 2023, traffickers used the kafala system to confiscate passports from 80% of labor victims in construction sector
02
UNODC 2022 reports 70% of sex trafficking into Saudi via land borders from Yemen and Jordan
03
HRW 2023: Recruitment agencies charge $1,500-$3,000 fees leading to debt bondage for 90% Indian workers
04
Amnesty 2022: Online platforms facilitate 50% of sex trafficking recruitment of Ethiopian women
05
ILO 2021: False job promises lure 65% of Bangladeshi migrants into forced labor
06
TIP 2022: Domestic servitude traffickers use family ties for 40% of Filipina victims
07
IOM 2023: Air routes from Addis Ababa account for 55% sex trafficking entries
08
Polaris 2023: Kafala exit bans trap 75% labor victims attempting escape
09
UN 2020: Overland camel caravans transport 30% child beggars from Sudan
10
HRW 2021: 60% domestic workers recruited via illegal brokers in Manila
11
GSI 2023: Commercial sexual exploitation uses hotels in 85% cases
12
Saudi NSPV 2022: Social media apps used in 45% forced marriage trafficking
13
Amnesty 2023: Visa fraud in 70% labor trafficking from Pakistan
14
TIP 2021: Construction site isolation key method for 90% male victims
15
ILO 2022: Wage withholding average 12 months for 80% victims
16
UNODC 2023: Red Sea boat routes 25% for East African trafficking
17
HRW 2020: Nepali agents deceive 95% with salary promises double actual
18
Polaris 2022: Family-based networks traffic 35% child camel jockeys
19
IOM 2021: 50% victims smuggled via UAE transit before Saudi entry
20
TIP 2019: Online grooming precedes 60% sex trafficking of minors
21
GSI 2021: Debt bondage via fees in 88% migrant cases
22
Amnesty 2021: Border patrols intercept 20% Yemeni trafficking groups yearly
23
ILO 2023: Compound living enforces 100-hour work weeks for 70% laborers
24
UN 2019: Apps like Telegram coordinate 40% sex trade operations
25
HRW 2022: False Hajj visas used for 15% labor trafficking entries
26
Saudi Gazette 2023: 200 networks busted using sea routes from Somalia
27
TIP 2020: Physical violence threats control 65% domestic victims
Interpretation
Trafficking Methods And Routes Interpretation
Across Saudi Arabia’s trafficking methods and routes, recruiters and traffickers rely heavily on systematic controls and border or online pathways, with passport confiscation under the kafala system affecting 80% of construction labor victims in 2023 and land-border inflows accounting for 70% of sex trafficking from Yemen and Jordan in UNODC 2022.
05 · Category
Victim Profiles28 stats
01
In 2023, 72% of identified trafficking victims in Saudi Arabia were women exploited in sex trafficking or domestic servitude
02
645 of 740 potential victims identified in 2023 were sex trafficking victims, mostly from East Africa and South Asia
03
Labor trafficking victims in 2023 numbered 95, primarily male construction workers from India and Bangladesh
04
HRW 2023: 85% of female domestic workers in Saudi are Filipina, Kenyan, or Ethiopian facing trafficking
05
UNODC 2022: 60% of detected child victims in Saudi are boys in forced begging
06
Amnesty 2022: Ethiopian women comprise 40% of sex trafficking victims in Riyadh, aged 18-25
07
ILO 2021: 70% of Nepali male migrants trafficked to Saudi are under 30 years old
08
TIP 2022: 210 child victims identified, 55% girls in domestic work
09
GSI 2023: 65% of modern slavery victims in Saudi are migrants
10
HRW 2021: 90% of runaway domestics are women from Uganda and Sri Lanka
11
Polaris 2023: Victims from Saudi calls average age 24, 80% female
12
IOM 2022: 55% of repatriated Bangladeshis from Saudi report sexual exploitation
13
Saudi NSPV 2023: 300 child brides identified as forced marriage trafficking victims
14
UN 2020: Yemeni refugees 75% female vulnerable to sex trafficking in Saudi
15
Amnesty 2023: 150 Sudanese women trafficked for domestic servitude post-conflict
16
TIP 2021: 80% labor victims male South Asians in Riyadh factories
17
ILO 2023: Women domestics 95% foreign, average salary withheld 6 months
18
HRW 2022: Pakistani boys 40% of camel racing forced labor victims
19
GSI 2021: Children 12% of total slavery victims in Saudi
20
UNODC 2023: 50% victims detected in commercial sex are under 18
21
Polaris 2021: Domestic servitude victims 60% African nationals
22
IOM 2023: 30% child migrants from Horn of Africa trafficked to Saudi
23
TIP 2019: 600 female victims in sex trade from Nigeria
24
Amnesty 2020: Indonesian maids 70% report passport confiscation
25
HRW 2019: 2.5 million SR workers, 50% Kenyan facing abuse
26
ILO 2020: 80% trafficked construction workers from Kerala, India, under 35
27
UN 2019: Syrian refugees 20% boys forced into begging in Jeddah
28
GSI 2023: Marriage exploitation affects 15% of female victims
Interpretation
Victim Profiles Interpretation
In 2023, 72% of identified human trafficking victims in Saudi Arabia were women exploited in sex trafficking or domestic servitude, showing that the victim profile is dominated by female exploitation while sex trafficking accounts for 645 of 740 potential victims, mainly from East Africa and South Asia.
report visual · Key figures
Identified and supported potential trafficking victims (selected 2021–2023)
Across recent reporting, identified cases and victim support signals vary by year, while victim-identification implementation remains incomplete.
1,023
2021: 1,023 investigations resulted in 400 prosecutions
2021
TIP 2021: Tier 2 Watch List due to weak victim support
2023
In 2023, Saudi government identified and referred 740 potential victims to protection services
15,000
Amnesty 2023: Hotline received 15,000 trafficking calls, referred 2,000 cases
500
NSPV provided shelter to 500 victims and SAR 10 million in aid in 2023
80%
2023 TIP notes partial implementation of victim identification protocols in 80% provinces
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Gabrielle Fontaine. (2026, February 13). Saudi Arabia Human Trafficking Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-human-trafficking-statistics
MLA
Gabrielle Fontaine. "Saudi Arabia Human Trafficking Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-human-trafficking-statistics.
Chicago
Gabrielle Fontaine. 2026. "Saudi Arabia Human Trafficking Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/saudi-arabia-human-trafficking-statistics.
Sources & references
13 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level