The report finds that in 2013-2014, there were 15.846 registered victims (both identified and presumed) of trafficking in the EU. Given the complexity of reporting on this phenomenon, the actual number of victims is likely to be substantially higher. In total 4.079 prosecutions and 3.129 convictions for trafficking were reported in the EU.

According to the report, trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation is still the most widespread form (67% of registered victims), followed by trafficking for labour exploitation (21%). Over three quarters of registered victims were women (76%) and at least 15% were children. 65% of registered victims were EU citizens. The top five EU countries of citizenship were Romania, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Hungary and Poland (the same as in 2010-2012). The top five non-EU countries of citizenship were Nigeria, China, Albania, Vietnam and Morocco.

The report concludes inter alia that Member States should:

• monitor and tackle all forms of exploitation, including emerging ones
• improve the collection, reliability and comparability of data in this field
• ensure early identification of all victims
• reduce vunerabilities (of children, disabled persons etc.)
• step up efforts to investigate the crime and prosecute perpetrators

The findings of the report will feed into the development of a post-2016 strategy on trafficking in human beings to be published in 2016. For further information, please read the press release of the European Commission, which provides links towards a factsheet, the Commission report and the staff working document.