# Human trafficking trends in Spain

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/human-trafficking-trends-in-spain
> Updated: 2026-09-14T11:11:25.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

The Spanish Prosecutor General's Office 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. There has been a significant shift in 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 exploitation types, 442 victims were identified in cases of sexual exploitation and 384 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.

## Claims

- The Ministry of Equality confirmed a new case of gender violence. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The number of women murdered in 2026 has risen to 37. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- There have been 1,378 fatal victims since official records began in 2003. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- An 88-year-old woman in Madrid was allegedly murdered by her spouse on September 11. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The victim had no minor children and there were no prior reports of gender violence against the alleged aggressor. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The 2026 figure is the highest number of murders recorded since 2023. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-14: Spain gender-based violence victims reach 37 in 2026

Spain's Ministry of Equality confirmed 37 gender-based murders in 2026 following the death of an 88-year-old woman in Madrid, the highest annual figure since 2023.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-ministry-of-equality-reports-37-gender-violence-deaths-in-2026

### 2026-09-13: Spain reports 57.9% increase in human trafficking victims

Spain's Prosecutor General's Office reports a 57.9% rise in potential human trafficking victims in 2025, with a growing majority being women from Colombia and Venezuela.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spain-reports-579-increase-in-human-trafficking-victims

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Cite as: Human trafficking trends in Spain. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/human-trafficking-trends-in-spain