Human trafficking is a severe criminal act. Persons who are exploited into human trafficking often hesitate to seek help and support out of fear of the perpetrators. Some victims also lack knowledge about their rights and concrete possibilities in their given situation. Therefore, it is suspected that there are unreported cases of human trafficking. The Danish Centre against Human Trafficking's statistics include persons who are officially identified as victims of human trafficking by Danish authorities.
Between 2007 and 2023, Danish authorities identified 1233 persons as victims of human trafficking. In 2023, this number is 112. In comparison, 73 persons were identified as trafficked in 2022.
Key figures 2023
The number of persons identified as trafficked into sexual exploitation has increased from 2022 to 2023. Likewise, the number of persons identified as trafficked into forced labour and criminal activities has also increased from 2022 to 2023. In general, the number of victims of human trafficking has increased by 35 pct. since 2022, and is the highest number since 2016.
Almost one in four are under the age of 25
The 112 persons identified as victims of human trafficking in 2023 are aged 17-53, with an average just below the age of 33. The majority are over 18. Of the 112, almost one in four (26 persons) are under 25 years, and more than half are boys and young men trafficked into criminal activities. Three persons are 17 years old.
Women constitute two-thirds of identified victims
76 women and 35 men are identified as victims of human trafficking in 2023. Thus, women make up two thirds of identified persons in 2023. Both the proportion and the number of women have increased since 2021, when the distribution between women and men was almost equal.
Of the 76 women, 55 have been trafficked into sexual exploitation, primarily in the form of prostitution. The remaining women are exploited into slavery-like conditions, forced labour or other forms of exploitation.
15 of the 35 men identified in 2023 have been trafficked into criminal activities and 14 have been trafficked into forced labour. Two men have been trafficked into sexual exploitation and two have been trafficked into slavery-like conditions. This marks the first time men have been identified as trafficked into slavery-like conditions.
One of the persons exploited into human trafficking in 2023 identifies as a transgender person. This person has been trafficked into sexual exploitation and is from Thailand.
More than half trafficked into sexual exploitation
Of the 112 persons exposed to human trafficking in 2023, 58 are trafficked into sexual exploitation.