In the framework of the Global Plan of Action, the UN General Assembly mandated UNODC to publish a Global Report on Trafficking in Persons every two years, starting in 2012. 

The Global Report 2012 provides an overview of patterns and flows of trafficking in persons at global, regional and national levels, based on trafficking cases detected between 2007 and 2010 (or more recent). The report also includes a chapter on the worldwide response to trafficking in persons. The Country Profiles of the Global Report present a national level analysis for each of the 132 countries covered by this edition of the report.

People are trafficked around the world for sexual exploitation, forced labour, begging, petty crimes, removal of organs and other exploitative purposes. Between 2007 and 2010, victims from at least 136 countries were detected in 118 countries worldwide. Because of this diffusion, as well as the hidden nature of trafficking crimes, it is difficult to estimate the size of the problem.

Many countries have recently passed legislation criminalising trafficking in persons as a specific offence. However, definitions of human trafficking vary, as does the capacity to detect offenders and victims. There is a general increase in the number of prosecutions and convictions globally, however the overall criminal justice response to trafficking in persons appears to remain very weak.