In preparing this report, the U.S. State Department obtained information from U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. These diplomatic posts supplied information on the extent of trafficking in their host countries and the host governments' efforts to address the problems. The reports reflected discussions with host governments, local and international nongovernmental organizations, international organizations, immigration officials, police, journalists, academics, and victims. Other data sources for this report were U.S. Government agencies, United Nations agencies, the International Organization for Migration, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. In compiling this report, the State Department used a two-step approach. First, the report panel determined whether or not a country was a country of origin, transit, or destination for a significant number (100 or more) of victims of trafficking. In the second step the report panel placed each of the countries included in the report into one of the three lists, described in the report as tiers. This placement was based on governments' efforts to combat trafficking. Countries whose governments fully complied with the Act's minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking were placed in Tier 1; countries whose governments did not fully comply with these standards were placed in Tier 2 if they were making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with the standards; countries were placed in Tier 3 if they were not making such an effort. Of the total number of countries listed (n=90), 18 are in Tier 1, 53 are in Tier 2, and 19 are in Tier 3. The report also provides narratives that describe the status of each country regarding trafficking in persons and the country's efforts to counter it. An introduction to the report provides an overview of the extent and causes of trafficking, along with the provisions of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act 2000.