Select Language:
Most Dangerous Countries for Human Trafficking in 2025: An In-Depth Look
1. Algeria: A Hidden Hub for Exploitation
Algeria continues to be a significant hotspot for human trafficking in North Africa. The country’s political instability and weak border controls make it an attractive route and destination for traffickers. Victims, often from sub-Saharan Africa, are subjected to forced labor and sexual exploitation, particularly within border regions and migrant routes.
2. Afghanistan: War-Torn Terrain Facilitates Crime
Despite ongoing conflict, Afghanistan remains a major site of human trafficking. Poverty, lack of law enforcement capacity, and ongoing violence create a breeding ground for traffickers to operate with impunity. Women and children are notably the most vulnerable, facing exploitation through forced marriages and labor.
3. Belarus: Stepping Stone for Trafficking in Eastern Europe
Belarus acts as both a transit and destination country for trafficking victims. Its geopolitical closeness to Russia and unsecured borders facilitate the movement of victims across Eastern European regions. Victims often include women, who are exploited in the sex trade, and men forced into various laborious tasks.
4. Cambodia: A Source and Destination for Exploitation
Cambodia remains a problematic country amid a combination of poverty and lax law enforcement. Young girls are trafficked for sex, often lured by false employment promises. Additionally, adults and children are exploited in forced labor across industries like construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.
5. Chad: The Overlooked Crisis Center
Chad’s ongoing conflict and fragile infrastructure contribute extensively to human trafficking issues. Particularly vulnerable populations include internally displaced persons and refugees, who are at increased risk of being exploited by opportunistic traffickers.
6. China: Large-Scale Criminal Networks
China faces challenges with human trafficking, especially in border regions. Traffickers exploit migrant workers, run illegal labor schemes, and traffic women and children for sexual exploitation. Despite strict laws, corruption and regional disparities hinder effective enforcement.
7. Cuba: A Limited but Growing Threat
Cuba has recently seen an uptick in trafficking cases linked to economic hardship and emigration. Victims, especially from vulnerable backgrounds, are exploited through false promises of employment and trafficking into sexual servitude or forced labor in destination countries.
8. Djibouti: The Crossroads of Smuggling
As a strategic port, Djibouti witnesses a steady flow of trafficking victims seeking passage to safer countries. Traffickers exploit migrants, including refugees from nearby conflict zones, who are often deceived or coerced into forced labor or sexual slavery.
9. Eritrea: A Repressive Environment
Eritrea’s authoritarian regime contributes to its status as a source country for trafficking victims, many fleeing poverty and political persecution. Traffickers prey on the diaspora and at home, promising employment abroad before coercing victims into forced labor or prostitution.
10. Equatorial Guinea: Tiny but Troubling
Despite its small size, Equatorial Guinea has been flagged for human trafficking, especially behind the scenes within its oil-rich sectors. Women and girls are trafficked for sexual exploitation, and migrant workers face abuse and forced labor.
11. Guinea-Bissau: A Neglected Crisis
High levels of political instability have made Guinea-Bissau a breeding ground for traffickers. The country’s porous borders and weak law enforcement lead to victims being trafficked into neighboring countries for forced labor and sexual exploitation.
12. Iran: A Country of Hidden Vulnerability
Iran remains a hub for trafficking activities, especially involving migrant workers and women trafficked for sexual exploitation. Economic hardship and restrictive policies further push vulnerable populations toward traffickers.
13. Nicaragua: Struggling with Organized Crime
Nicaragua faces increased trafficking issues fueled by organized crime and corruption. Victims, particularly women and children, are trafficked through the country to trafficking hubs in North America and beyond.
14. North Korea: A Highly Restricted Zone
Human trafficking in North Korea is tightly linked to political repression and economic hardship. Defectors and vulnerable populations are often lured or forced into trafficking networks abroad, facing severe treatment and exploitation.
15. Papua New Guinea: An Emerging Threat
Rising violence and law enforcement challenges make Papua New Guinea a concerning location for trafficking victims. Women and children are trafficked within the country and into neighboring regions, often for forced labor or sexual exploitation.
16. Russia: An Increasingly Prominent Player
Russia’s vast landscapes and porous borders make it an effective transit point. Victims from neighboring countries and within Russia itself are trafficked for sexual exploitation and forced labor, with organized crime operating unabated.
17. Syria: War’s Dark Shadow
The ongoing conflict in Syria continues to fuel trafficking, with displaced populations at high risk. Women and children are trafficked into sexual slavery or forced labor in refugee camps and neighboring countries.
18. South Sudan: A Country in Crisis
South Sudan’s ongoing civil war and economic instability have created fertile ground for trafficking. Vulnerable populations face forced recruitment into armed groups, sexual exploitation, and forced labor.
19. Myanmar: Violent Conflicts and Trafficking
Myanmar’s internal conflicts, especially with minority groups, have caused displacement and vulnerabilities to trafficking. Women and children are often exploited in sexual servitude or forced labor within the country and internationally.
20. Turkmenistan: Secrecy & Oppression
Limited transparency hampers efforts to address trafficking in Turkmenistan. The country’s oppressive regime controls most aspects of life, but reports indicate trafficking victims are exploited both domestically and abroad, especially in the construction and domestic service sectors.
21. Venezuela: Economic Collapse and Trafficking Surge
The economic meltdown in Venezuela has led to a dramatic rise in trafficking cases. Victims, including women and children, are trafficked internally and internationally, often for sexual exploitation and forced labor, as residents seek safety elsewhere.
Source: U.S. News & World Report, 2025
ChatGPT
Perplexity
Gemini AI
Grok AI
