IOM Report: Philippines Ranks Second Globally as Country of Origin for Human Trafficking Victims

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has identified 13,313 Filipinos among 125,000 trafficking victims recorded worldwide, placing the Philippines second only to Ukraine in terms of countries of origin. Presented at the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in Marrakesh, the data highlights the severe risks of sexual and labor exploitation faced by migrant workers and children on the move.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 16, 2026, 4:57 AM EST

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Inquirer Global Nation

A Global Epicenter for Human Exploitation

A comprehensive dataset released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has shed light on the disproportionate impact of human trafficking on the Filipino population. Out of more than 125,000 officially identified victims globally, 13,313 are Filipinos surpassing the numbers from the United States (11,658) and Moldova (10,464). Only Ukraine, with 19,163 victims, recorded a higher number of individuals trafficked from its borders. The IOM emphasizes that these figures are likely "conservative estimates," as underreporting and the "invisibility" of many victims remain significant hurdles for global detection systems.

The Migration-Trafficking Nexus

The Philippines’ status as a leading country of origin is intrinsically linked to its large-scale labor migration model. While overseas employment is a primary driver of the national economy, the IOM notes that illegal recruitment and deceptive job offers create abundant opportunities for traffickers. The problem is two-fold: the Philippines is not only a country of origin but also a location where exploitation occurs, with 2,333 internal cases recorded. This dual burden places immense pressure on the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI), which recently repatriated victims from as far as Malaysia and Cambodia.

Vulnerability of Children and Youth

One of the most alarming revelations from the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in Marrakesh is the rising visibility of children in trafficking statistics. Nearly one in four detected victims roughly 29,545 individuals are children. IOM Director General Amy Pope warned that "millions of children on the move face heightened risks of exploitation" but are often overlooked by national protection systems. A joint IOM-Harvard study further underscored the complex links between child labor and migration, calling for a more coordinated, rights-based response between child protection and anti-trafficking agencies.