Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the progress made in the European Union in combati...

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 20.1.2025 COM(2025) 8 final REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS on the progress made in the European Union in combating trafficking in human beings (Fifth Report) {SWD(2025) 4 final} EN EN 1. INTRODUCTION Trafficking in human beings is a crime that devastates individuals’ lives, depriving them of dignity, freedom and fundamental rights. According to Europol, 55 of the reported most threatening criminal networks engage in trafficking in human beings as (one of) their main activity(-ies)1. Furthermore, the 2024 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons2 revealed that 74% of traffickers operate as groups and networks loosely connected in a businesstype criminal relation or as structured criminal organisations, highlighting the predominant role of organised crime groups in trafficking activities. Trafficking is also often linked to other crimes, such as drugs trafficking, migrant smuggling, organised property crime, money laundering and document fraud. Moreover, trafficking in human beings constitutes the second most widespread illicit economy in the world3. The annual profit generated by forced labour globally is estimated at USD 236 billion annual profit for traffickers, representing almost USD 10 000 profit per victim. The exploitation of victims in Europe and Central Asia is the most profitable, reaching USD...