Human Trafficking Victims in Europe: Trends and Policy Implications

Author: Kakar, Suman; Coccia, Mario; Benati, Igor & Cohn, Ellen

Abstract: Human trafficking rates in Europe continue to rise despite the presence of comprehensive legal frameworks and policy initiatives. Using 2012–2022 Eurostat data, this study examines key trends and patterns in trafficking victimization across Europe. The analyses reveal notable shifts in the nature and scope of trafficking: the number of victims per 100,000 inhabitants increased by 12.44%, while the ratio of convicted-to-suspected offenders in human trafficking rose by only 2.64%. There are also significant changes in the purposes of trafficking, with the rate of sex trafficking victims per 100,000 inhabitants decreasing by 8.74%, compared to a 128.57% increase in victims of trafficking for forced labor or services. Moreover, the rate of change in female victims rose by 14.33%, whereas the rate for male victims increased by 102.26%, likely associated with the increase in forced labor. Results, based on a linear regression analysis, also suggest that a 1% increase in the convicted-to-suspected offender ratio generates a 0.402% decrease in the number of victims, providing implications for designing effective justice system policies. These findings highlight evolving dynamics in human trafficking across Europe and underscore the need for more robust, evidence-based, and coordinated policy responses to address this complex and organized form of crime in society.

Keywords: Europe, forced labor, human trafficking, organized crime, public policy, sexual exploitation