1808–1864: In the final sixty years of the slave trade, the proportion of children among the captives nearly doubled compared to the previous century.

1808–1864: In the final sixty years of the slave trade, the proportion of children among the captives nearly doubled compared to the previous century. This shift was observed across all African regions, but was particularly pronounced in West Central Africa, where half of all embarked captives after 1807 were children. Historical analysis suggests that faster voyage times and lower shipping costs made the transport of children economically viable despite their lower market price in the Americas. This transition reflects the changing economic calculations of slave traders during the era of international suppression and illegal trafficking.