2024 Human Trafficking Report

Message from the Secretary of State

Dear reader:

Human trafficking is a stain on the conscience of our society. This fuels crime, corruption and violence. This distorts our economies and harms our workers. And it violates everyone’s fundamental right to freedom. Read the 2024 Human Trafficking Report here.

Worldwide, an estimated 27 million people are exploited for work, services and the sex trade. Through force, fraud and coercion, they are forced to work hard in fields and factories, in restaurants and homes. Traffickers prey on some of the most marginalized and vulnerable people in the world – taking advantage of their plight.

The Department of State's annual Trafficking in Persons Report provides the world's most comprehensive assessment of this heinous practice, as well as the efforts of governments and stakeholders around the world to combat it. By measuring progress in 188 countries – including the United States – we are advancing President Biden's commitment to preventing trafficking, prosecuting traffickers, and protecting survivors.

While this resource covers long-standing forms and methods of trafficking, it also examines the growing role of technology in facilitating and countering exploitation.

Digital tools have amplified the reach, scale and speed of traffic. Perpetrators use dating apps and online advertisements to recruit victims. They use online platforms to sell illicit sexual content. They exploit encrypted messaging and digital currencies to evade detection.

At the same time, technology is also one of our most powerful tools to combat this persistent scourge. Mobile phones, social media platforms and artificial intelligence enable activists and law enforcement to increase awareness of workers' and migrants' rights, locate victims and perpetrators of online sexual exploitation and to analyze large quantities of data to detect the emergence of human trafficking. tendencies.

As technology facilitates the operations of traffickers across geographies and jurisdictions, those of us committed to eradicating this horrific crime – in government, in business, in civil society – can and must work together and coordinate their efforts.

I thank everyone who contributed to this report, especially the State Department's network of expert human trafficking consultants, who help ensure that our findings and recommendations are informed by those with lived experience of trafficking human being.

I also want to recognize our heroes from the TIP report who have been essential partners in this work. Over the past 20 years, the State Department has honored more than 170 defenders of human dignity and decency in more than 90 countries – survivors, government leaders, law enforcement officials, lawyers, social workers . Many of them put their own safety at risk to support victims and share their stories.

The courage and perseverance of survivors and advocates like these humbles and inspires us all as we continue to work to build a safer and more just world.

Sincerely,

Anthony Blinken

READ THE REPORT