GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sex Trafficking Statistics

Global sex trafficking victimizes millions, mostly women, girls, and vulnerable youth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global industry generates approximately $150 billion annually from trafficking profits

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The ILO estimates that forced commercial sexual exploitation generates around $99 billion annually worldwide

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The global demand for paid sex fuels sex trafficking, with estimates indicating demand exceeds supply in many regions

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The number of sex trafficking cases reported to law enforcement in Canada increased by approximately 30% over recent years, indicating rising awareness or activity

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Around 75% of traffickers convicted worldwide have previous criminal records, indicating a persisted cycle of organized offending

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The U.S. State Department reports that international cooperation and victim support are crucial in combating sex trafficking networks

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An estimated 4.8 million people are victims of sex trafficking globally at any given time

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Approximately 71% of human trafficking victims globally are women and girls

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The average age of entry into sex trafficking is 13 years old

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In the United States, an estimated 23% of all human trafficking victims are exploited for sex

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About 1 million children are exploited through sex trafficking globally each year

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Only 1 out of every 100 victims of sex trafficking will seek help or escape

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The Department of Homeland Security estimates that approximately 80% of trafficking victims are women and girls

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A survey found that 63% of sex trafficking victims in the U.S. knew their traffickers personally

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In Southeast Asia, traffickers often target vulnerable populations such as rural children and impoverished women

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The median age of victims rescued in the U.S. is 17 years old

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87% of human trafficking victims globally are exploited for sexual purposes

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Human trafficking for sex is the third-largest criminal activity in the world after drug and arms trafficking

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The International Labour Organization estimates that victims of any form of forced labor, including sex trafficking, number around 27.6 million globally

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Nearly 45% of trafficking victims worldwide are children

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In Europe, trafficking victims are predominantly women (around 70%), with children making up approximately 17%

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In 2022, U.S. law enforcement identified over 17,000 victims of human trafficking, with a significant portion being victims of sex trafficking

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More than 90% of underage sex trafficking victims in the U.S. are girls

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Online advertisements for sex trafficking in the U.S. increased by over 50% during the COVID-19 pandemic

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About 60% of sex trafficking survivors report being recruited online

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Roughly 76% of trafficking victims worldwide are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation

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The average duration of exploitation for sex trafficking victims is 19 months in the U.S.

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Approximately 30% of sex trafficking victims in the U.S. are U.S. citizens, and 70% are foreign nationals

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In Latin America, traffickers often exploit existing social inequalities and vulnerable populations such as indigenous people

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A study found that nearly 85% of sex trafficking victims in the U.S. experience physical or sexual violence during their exploitation

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In Nigeria and the Philippines, trafficking gangs operate openly with little intervention, often targeting youth for sex exploitation

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The European Parliament reports that around 80-90% of victims of sex trafficking in Europe are women and girls

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The U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline received over 22,000 calls in a recent year, many related to sex trafficking

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More than 60% of sex trafficking victims in the Philippines are girls under 18

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Rescue operations in the U.S. have recovered hundreds of minors from sex trafficking rings annually, with over 600 minors rescued in some recent years

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In Australia, vulnerable populations such as migrant women are increasingly targeted for sex trafficking

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Over 50% of sex trafficking victims in the U.S. report substance abuse issues resulting from their exploitation, according to health studies

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The number of online advertisements for sex trafficking has risen sharply, with some estimates indicating a 300% increase during certain periods

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Women and girls accounted for approximately 96% of victims rescued in the U.S. in recent law enforcement operations aimed at sex trafficking

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The average age of sex trafficking victims rescued in Europe is 17 years old, with vulnerable groups including refugees and Roma communities

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Children sex trafficking victims often face long-term psychological trauma requiring extensive mental health services, as documented in clinical studies

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The majority of sex trafficking cases worldwide involve victims from impoverished backgrounds, highlighting socioeconomic vulnerability

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Female victims of sex trafficking are more likely to experience physical violence than male victims, according to law enforcement data

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In the U.S., traffickers often recruit victims through online platforms, such as social media and classified ads

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The FBI reports that traffickers frequently use debt bondage to control victims, including sexual exploitation

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The majority of traffickers involved in sex trafficking operate within organized crime groups, often across borders

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In urban areas of South Asia, traffickers frequently lure victims through fake job offers and promises of a better life, leading to exploitation

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A significant portion of sex trafficking victims are recruited through familial or community networks, according to law enforcement reports

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Traffickers often manipulate victims psychologically, employing threats, intimidation, and emotional abuse, as reported in victim testimonies

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Traffickers utilize cryptocurrencies to facilitate anonymous transactions in sex trafficking operations, according to cybersecurity reports

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In some regions, traffickers exploit cultural norms and gender inequalities to facilitate sex trafficking, as noted in human rights reports

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Key Highlights

An estimated 4.8 million people are victims of sex trafficking globally at any given time
Approximately 71% of human trafficking victims globally are women and girls
The average age of entry into sex trafficking is 13 years old
In the United States, an estimated 23% of all human trafficking victims are exploited for sex
About 1 million children are exploited through sex trafficking globally each year
Only 1 out of every 100 victims of sex trafficking will seek help or escape
The global industry generates approximately $150 billion annually from trafficking profits
In the U.S., traffickers often recruit victims through online platforms, such as social media and classified ads
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that approximately 80% of trafficking victims are women and girls
A survey found that 63% of sex trafficking victims in the U.S. knew their traffickers personally
In Southeast Asia, traffickers often target vulnerable populations such as rural children and impoverished women
The median age of victims rescued in the U.S. is 17 years old
87% of human trafficking victims globally are exploited for sexual purposes

Despite being one of the world’s most profitable crimes, sex trafficking continues to prey on the most vulnerable, with millions of victims—predominantly women, girls, and children—being exploited annually through a clandestine industry that generates an estimated $150 billion each year.

Economic Impact and Industry Scale

The global industry generates approximately $150 billion annually from trafficking profits
The ILO estimates that forced commercial sexual exploitation generates around $99 billion annually worldwide
The global demand for paid sex fuels sex trafficking, with estimates indicating demand exceeds supply in many regions

Economic Impact and Industry Scale Interpretation

These staggering figures reveal that the insatiable global demand for paid sex has transformed sex trafficking into a highly profitable, billion-dollar industry — a dark market thriving on the very culture of demand that society must urgently address.

Law Enforcement and Legal Responses

The number of sex trafficking cases reported to law enforcement in Canada increased by approximately 30% over recent years, indicating rising awareness or activity
Around 75% of traffickers convicted worldwide have previous criminal records, indicating a persisted cycle of organized offending
The U.S. State Department reports that international cooperation and victim support are crucial in combating sex trafficking networks

Law Enforcement and Legal Responses Interpretation

As sex trafficking reports soar by 30% in Canada and three-quarters of traffickers worldwide are repeat offenders, it’s clear that while awareness may be rising, breaking the cycle still demands robust international cooperation and unwavering commitment to victim support.

Prevalence and Demographics of Victims

An estimated 4.8 million people are victims of sex trafficking globally at any given time
Approximately 71% of human trafficking victims globally are women and girls
The average age of entry into sex trafficking is 13 years old
In the United States, an estimated 23% of all human trafficking victims are exploited for sex
About 1 million children are exploited through sex trafficking globally each year
Only 1 out of every 100 victims of sex trafficking will seek help or escape
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that approximately 80% of trafficking victims are women and girls
A survey found that 63% of sex trafficking victims in the U.S. knew their traffickers personally
In Southeast Asia, traffickers often target vulnerable populations such as rural children and impoverished women
The median age of victims rescued in the U.S. is 17 years old
87% of human trafficking victims globally are exploited for sexual purposes
Human trafficking for sex is the third-largest criminal activity in the world after drug and arms trafficking
The International Labour Organization estimates that victims of any form of forced labor, including sex trafficking, number around 27.6 million globally
Nearly 45% of trafficking victims worldwide are children
In Europe, trafficking victims are predominantly women (around 70%), with children making up approximately 17%
In 2022, U.S. law enforcement identified over 17,000 victims of human trafficking, with a significant portion being victims of sex trafficking
More than 90% of underage sex trafficking victims in the U.S. are girls
Online advertisements for sex trafficking in the U.S. increased by over 50% during the COVID-19 pandemic
About 60% of sex trafficking survivors report being recruited online
Roughly 76% of trafficking victims worldwide are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation
The average duration of exploitation for sex trafficking victims is 19 months in the U.S.
Approximately 30% of sex trafficking victims in the U.S. are U.S. citizens, and 70% are foreign nationals
In Latin America, traffickers often exploit existing social inequalities and vulnerable populations such as indigenous people
A study found that nearly 85% of sex trafficking victims in the U.S. experience physical or sexual violence during their exploitation
In Nigeria and the Philippines, trafficking gangs operate openly with little intervention, often targeting youth for sex exploitation
The European Parliament reports that around 80-90% of victims of sex trafficking in Europe are women and girls
The U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline received over 22,000 calls in a recent year, many related to sex trafficking
More than 60% of sex trafficking victims in the Philippines are girls under 18
Rescue operations in the U.S. have recovered hundreds of minors from sex trafficking rings annually, with over 600 minors rescued in some recent years
In Australia, vulnerable populations such as migrant women are increasingly targeted for sex trafficking
Over 50% of sex trafficking victims in the U.S. report substance abuse issues resulting from their exploitation, according to health studies
The number of online advertisements for sex trafficking has risen sharply, with some estimates indicating a 300% increase during certain periods
Women and girls accounted for approximately 96% of victims rescued in the U.S. in recent law enforcement operations aimed at sex trafficking
The average age of sex trafficking victims rescued in Europe is 17 years old, with vulnerable groups including refugees and Roma communities
Children sex trafficking victims often face long-term psychological trauma requiring extensive mental health services, as documented in clinical studies
The majority of sex trafficking cases worldwide involve victims from impoverished backgrounds, highlighting socioeconomic vulnerability
Female victims of sex trafficking are more likely to experience physical violence than male victims, according to law enforcement data

Prevalence and Demographics of Victims Interpretation

With millions ensnared globally—most painfully as young as 13—the stark reality is that sex trafficking, the world's third-largest criminal enterprise, preys predominantly on women and children from vulnerable backgrounds, yet only a scant 1% seek help, underscoring an urgent need for heightened vigilance and comprehensive intervention.

Trafficking Methods and Victim Exploitation Techniques

In the U.S., traffickers often recruit victims through online platforms, such as social media and classified ads
The FBI reports that traffickers frequently use debt bondage to control victims, including sexual exploitation
The majority of traffickers involved in sex trafficking operate within organized crime groups, often across borders
In urban areas of South Asia, traffickers frequently lure victims through fake job offers and promises of a better life, leading to exploitation
A significant portion of sex trafficking victims are recruited through familial or community networks, according to law enforcement reports
Traffickers often manipulate victims psychologically, employing threats, intimidation, and emotional abuse, as reported in victim testimonies
Traffickers utilize cryptocurrencies to facilitate anonymous transactions in sex trafficking operations, according to cybersecurity reports
In some regions, traffickers exploit cultural norms and gender inequalities to facilitate sex trafficking, as noted in human rights reports

Trafficking Methods and Victim Exploitation Techniques Interpretation

Despite evolving digital tactics like cryptocurrency transactions and social media recruitment, sex traffickers worldwide remain deeply intertwined with organized crime, familial networks, and cultural norms, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive, multi-layered intervention strategies.