UN Report Warns of Sharp Rise in Child Trafficking and Forced Labor

Cases of child exploitation have surged by 25% since the pandemic, with organized crime driving much of the increase, according to a new UNODC report.

• The UNODC recorded 75,000 human trafficking cases in 2022, with 25,000 involving children, marking a 25% increase compared to pre-pandemic years.
• Girls are frequently trafficked for sexual exploitation, while boys, often traveling alone as migrants, are increasingly targeted.
• Organized criminal networks are responsible for three-quarters of trafficking cases, exploiting victims across nearly 440 identified transnational routes.
• Victims are often forced into sex work, online scams, or labor under the guise of legitimate industries such as construction, agriculture, and fishing.
• The report highlights that ongoing conflicts and climate-related disasters are key factors displacing populations and heightening vulnerability to trafficking.

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