Forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking

49.6 million people were living in modern slavery in 2021, of which 27.6 million were in forced labour and 22 million in forced marriage.
Of the 27.6 million people in forced labour, 17.3 million are exploited in the private sector; 6.3 million in forced commercial sexual exploitation, and 3.9 million in forced labour imposed by state.
Women and girls account for 4.9 million of those in forced commercial sexual exploitation, and for 6 million of those in forced labour in other economic sectors.
12% of all those in forced labour are children. More than half of these children are in commercial sexual exploitation.
The Asia and the Pacific region has the highest number of people in forced labour (15.1 million) and the Arab States the highest prevalence (5.3 per thousand people).
Addressing decent work deficits in the informal economy, as part of broader efforts towards economic formalization, is a priority for progress against forced labour.

The Fair Recruitment Initiative

The ILO has launched a global “Fair Recruitment Initiative” to: (i) help prevent human trafficking; (ii) protect the rights of workers, including migrant workers, from abusive and fraudulent practices during the recruitment and placement process; and (iii) reduce the cost of labour migration and enhance development gains.
2030 Agenda for sustainable development

ILO contributions to achieve SDG Targent 8.7

Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and end child labour in all its forms.

The new legally-binding ILO Protocol on Forced Labour aims to strengthen global efforts towards combating forced labour, trafficking and slavery-like practices. Governments now have the opportunity to ratify the Protocol and integrate new measures at the national and regional levels to combat this crime.
- ILO videos on forced labour
- ILO photos on forced labour

2021 Global Estimates of Modern Slavery

Forced Labour and Forced Marriage

Latest estimates show that forced labour and forced marriage have increased significantly in the last five years, according to the International Labour Organization, Walk Free and the International Organisation for Migration.
- Full Report
- Executive Summary
- Methodology (forthcoming)
- Press Release
Report

Ending child labour, forced labour and human trafficking in global supply chains

The report presents research findings and recommendations on child labour, forced labour and human trafficking in global supply chains. Jointly authored by the ILO, OECD, IOM and UNICEF under the aegis of Alliance 8.7, the report also represents the first ever attempt to measure these human rights abuses and violations on a large scale.

Media engagement on forced labour and fair recruitment

The ILO and its partners have been engaging with the media to support the production of quality reporting on forced labour and fair recruitment issues, creating or strengthening networks of specialized journalists, as well as building partnerships with those institutions who have the capacity and mandate to take forward media training and outreach.

ILO Flagship programme

International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour and Forced Labour (IPEC+)

In line with Sustainable Development Target 8.7, IPEC+ focuses on the elimination of child labour in all its forms by 2025 and the eradication of forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking by 2030.
ILO Global Business Network on Forced Labour

Driving action, scale and sustainability through collaboration

ILO