Trafficking in Persons - An Economics Perspective Part 1 of 3

27 Pages Posted: 18 Nov 2011 Last revised: 24 Dec 2011

See all articles by Bo Jiang

Bo Jiang

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Department of Economics

Date Written: November 17, 2011

Abstract

Why is Trafficking in Persons (TIP) more widespread in some countries than others? Different theories associate this with levels of economic development, political institutions, government policies and particular historical and cultural traditions. This article analyzes human trafficking rates (HTR) from 64 countries compiled by UNODC for the period 2003-2008. The following eight arguments find significant empirical support: Countries with Protestant traditions, higher Misery Index, higher GDP per capital, and (especially) OECD members were less susceptible to TIP. Countries with a higher level of 'ethno-linguistic' fragmentation and Islamic countries had higher HTR. While openness of the economy increases HTR, we found that countries can grow their way out of TIP after long exposure to trade.

Keywords: trafficking in persons, development, misery Index

JEL Classification: O15, J47

Suggested Citation

Jiang, Bo, Trafficking in Persons - An Economics Perspective Part 1 of 3 (November 17, 2011). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1961393 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1961393

Bo Jiang (Contact Author)

National University of Singapore (NUS) - Department of Economics ( email )

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