Criminal trade in people is growing globally
Subject Update on human trafficking and smuggling. Significance According to the International Organisation for Migration, 2015 saw the highest levels of forced displacement globally since World War II: there were 15.1 million refugees in the world in mid-2015 and some 244 million migrants in general. A large proportion of these people were trafficked or smuggled, in a business that is going through a period of not just expansion but also redefinition. Impacts Both irregular migration and human trafficking will continue to grow, driven by economic disparities and local pressures.. In destination countries, this will have a negative political impact, generating resentment and inter-ethnic tensions. The considerable profits and relatively low risks contribute to the rising presence of militants and organised crime in these industries.