Age is one of the most important determinants of vulnerability, with younger females being at greater risk of trafficking (Randle, 2020), especially for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Age is also a risk factor and a source of vulnerability for male victimisation: there are more and more cases of sexual exploitation of young men and boys in the context of migration. Unaccompanied minors, regardless of their gender, are among the groups facing the highest risk (UNHCR, 2020).

Gender is another major and important risk factor of trafficking of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, as women and girls are disproportionately affected by trafficking and exploitation. Gender determines the relationship between the other risk factors, including age, economic status, family status, etc. all at the same time (Randle, 2020). Gender identity and sexual orientation are factors that are yet to be examined which increases vulnerability. People from the LGBTQIA+ community among migrants, refugees and asylum seekers face a higher risk as they are often marginalised from their families and communities (UNODC, 2021).

Health, including mental health, conditions also predispose vulnerability to trafficking. These may include chronic or acute states or illnesses related to the use of life-saving medications (such as HIV, diabetes, asthma, etc.) that could be scarce during migration and that could force people in need to go through various forms of exploitation in order to procure the medications. Migrants are more likely to face unmet medical needs related to various factors such as: lack of access or limited health, lack of knowledge on how to access medical services, financial resources, language barriers and lack of adaptation of national systems to their specific needs (EC, 2020b). Different forms of physical disability could be related to a risk of trafficking for the purposes of begging. The psychological trauma could lead to emotional disbalance and affect their attitude in a way that puts migrants at risk of abuse and trafficking. Different mental health problems could prevent adequate reality testing, affect their behaviour and create a risk of trafficking. Psychological problems are often used by traffickers. These may be hypomanic states whose symptoms can include sexualised behaviour or lack of personal boundaries. Addictions to substances and mental deficits also constitute risk factors. The health factor creates additional vulnerability to women in relation to their reproductive health and especially in case they are pregnant or have given birth recently.

Nationality and ethnicity are discussed in some studies as risk factors in the country of destination or transit in the EU. The EU gives priority to nationalities that are considered to be at higher risk and most likely to qualify for protection as refugees (Syrian, Iraqi and Afghani) (Brunovskis & Surtees, 2017). Refugees, unlike immigrants, are entitled to resettlement in safe places and to not being returned to places where there are threats to their life and health (the principle of non-refoulement). This is why when it comes to immigrants the risk of becoming victims of trafficking or abuse may be underestimated if they are to be returned to their countries of origin or taken outside the EU boundaries. Migrants have to to find shelter and jobs or to make money faster in order to continue their journey. This puts them in a more vulnerable situation to accept propositions that might involve exploitation. Due to the pressing desire to reach their destination, immigrants may use the services of smugglers that can easily turn into trafficking.

Economic status, as for some migrants, poverty is a reason to look for better income in Europe. Others invested all their savings into using the services of smugglers. The lack of income and the opportunity to work once they enter the EU is a serious risk factor. People who received international protection or have a long-term residence permit have the right to work, but there are a number of obstacles that take time to be overcome, including the language barrier, lack of valid documentation that proves the level of education or professional experience, lack of knowledge of the labour market in the country of stay. Often, migrants and especially women are forced to work in low paid jobs that are beneath their level of qualification or are engaged in the grey sector where they work without a contract, insurance, and respect to their labour rights. The risk of exploitation in such a work situation is very high. Other directly related factors are low levels of education, professional qualification, and work experience that make integration difficult and are a warning sign for vulnerability and victimisation. A number of studies show that the poverty factor affects more women due to the traditionally lower levels of education and lack of professional experience (Randle, 2020).

Family status is a factor that affects mainly women and comes from the traditional understandings of their role in the family as being economically dependent and not having enough freedom to make life choices. Women are responsible for taking care of the children. In most cases, they are systematically subjected to attitudes that can be described as GBV, including domestic violence. The isolation and dependency, the lack of education and professional experience put barriers to integration. Women remain closed and isolated without access to resources and thus can become VoTs (Spampinati, C. et al., 2020). Single refugee women face high risk of trafficking with the purpose of sexual exploitation, due to their economic status, lack of professional skills, and family support (Randle, 2020).

Religious beliefs and practices that assign unequality between men and women often act as push factors for women to migrate. They are escaping forced marriages, genital mutilation, honor-based crimes, domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence. Fears of persecution may increase vulnerability to trafficking.