Human trafficking in Romania | Subtext

In addition to studies of developing countries, we add to the pool of analytical materials monitoring the criminal situation in the countries of the European Union, with a focus on the impact of crime on vulnerable populations: youth, rural communities, migrants, and low-income individuals.

We believe that challenges for security systems persist in the EU — both from transnational organized crime, and from jihadist movements, which continue to exert influence in certain countries.

The first study in the EU block is dedicated to Romania.

Romania remains a key country of origin for victims of human trafficking and labor exploitation in the EU. Moreover, the country is often used as a buffer zone by transnational organized crime groups.

At present, the Balkans are significantly safer than in the early 2000s. The consequences of the Yugoslav conflicts have weakened, and the accession of most countries in the region to the EU has strengthened institutions and allowed for more effective combat against organized crime.

When considering Romania, the country remains relatively safe in terms of violent crimes and incidents involving weapons.

However, Romania remains a key country of origin for victims of human trafficking in Europe and an important territory for transnational crime — primarily due to weak democratic institutions and corruption among law enforcement representatives.

Romania is also not a wealthy country within the EU:

1. about 2 million Romanians are in a vulnerable financial situation (approximately 27% of the population),
2. about 3 million people live in relative poverty, earning an average of 410 euros per month, which significantly lags behind the average gross salary in developed EU countries (about 3300 euros).

As a result, many citizens facing financial difficulties become victims of organized crime groups.

During the period 2020–2024 in Romania, 2662 victims of human trafficking were identified. Half of the victims are children. Often, they were used for sexual exploitation in Western European countries. In addition to sexual exploitation, cases of forced labor are recorded.

Romania combines geographical location, socio-economic inequality and weak democratic institutions. These factors are effectively exploited by criminal groups.

In large cities such as Bucharest, economic growth and high employment are observed. However, the situation is different in rural areas.

The overall unemployment rate is 6,3%, but in rural regions and small towns there is hidden unemployment: part of the population lacks stable employment and lives on random earnings.

It is precisely unemployed youth that becomes a key target for criminal groups. It is significantly easier to recruit a young person from a small depressed town than a student from Bucharest.

Recruiters offer jobs abroad. Girls are promised a «model career» or work as housekeepers for wealthy Europeans. The amounts offered exceed the average salary in Romania several times. Due to the lack of prospects, young people agree and find themselves completely dependent on organized crime groups.

Their passports, mobile phones are taken away, and their freedom of movement is restricted. Victims are often introduced to illegal substances to enhance control. Thus, criminal syndicates control not only the physical body but also the identity of the victim.

Criminals also exploit the fact that Romania is an EU member. The freedom of movement of labor within the union significantly facilitates the export of victims under the guise of labor migrants. This allows transporting victims without visa procedures.

Sometimes recruited Romanian citizens are sent to Middle Eastern countries: for this, they are first transported to Spain or Italy, from where they are further transferred.

A separate problem is the weakness of institutions. Reports from the Group of States against Corruption note insufficient coordination between the police and the prosecutor's office. In certain regions, corruption among representatives of power is recorded, which facilitates the work of criminal groups.

It should be noted separately that a significant proportion of victims are representatives of the Roma minority.

Officially, the Roma number from 500 up to 600 thousand people. The poverty level among the Roma reaches 68%, which is significantly higher than the national average. Only 30% of children of the Roma community finish school. Many live in segregated areas with limited access to basic services.

The Group of Experts of the Council of Europe on Trafficking in Human Beings notes that a significant portion of victims are representatives of the Roma community, with a substantial share being children.

We will prepare a separate study dedicated to the Roma community.

We have consciously expanded the pool of studies. Using Romania as an example, we examined one of the key issues of the EU — exploitation and trafficking in human beings, which directly affects youth, poor families, and marginalized communities.

It is also worth noting that events in the Middle East and Africa continue to influence the EU — both through migration processes and through the rise of radical movements among some youth.