Spain reports 57.9% increase in human trafficking victims

The Spanish Prosecutor General's Office has reported a 57.9% increase in potential human trafficking victims in 2025, with 1,246 potential victims identified compared to 789 in 2024. Of these, 875 were formally identified as victims, while 371 were classified as being at grave risk.

Criminal networks are increasingly using communication technologies to recruit victims more easily. The report highlights a significant shift in victim demographics; while Nigerian and Romanian nationals were previously predominant, there is now an “overwhelming majority” of Latin American women, specifically from Colombia and Venezuela, who make up 54.5% of the total.

Regarding the types of exploitation, 442 victims were identified in cases of sexual exploitation, and 384 victims were identified in cases of labor exploitation, representing a 54.84% increase in labor-related trafficking. The report also noted 23 cases of mixed exploitation and several instances of forced marriages involving minors.