Human Trafficking in Asia

Asia-Pacific has an estimated 29.3 million people living in modern slavery, including both forced labor and forced marriage, with a regional prevalence of 6.8 per 1,000 people. Most victims are exploited within their own countries or the broader region, with trafficking routes often connecting poorer areas in South and Southeast Asia to wealthier urban centers.

Forced labor is the most widespread form, affecting over 15 million people, including migrant workers trapped in debt bondage, state-imposed labor in countries like North Korea, and exploitation in industries such as construction, agriculture, and fishing. In South Asia, long-standing practices of bonded labor still persist, particularly in sectors like brick kilns and carpet weaving.

Women and girls make up the majority of identified victims, particularly in cases of sexual exploitation and forced marriage. In Southeast Asia, reports from Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines have documented trafficking of transgender women for sexual exploitation, both domestically and to other countries in Asia and beyond, often under false promises of legitimate work.