Statistics on forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking
Global estimates on forced labour
Nearly 21 million people - three out of every 1,000 people worldwide - are victims of forced labour across the world, trapped in jobs which they were coerced or deceived into and which they cannot leave.
The number of victims per thousand inhabitants is highest in the Central and South-eastern Europe and Africa regions at 4.2 and 4.0 per 1,000 inhabitants respectively. It is the lowest in the Developed Economies and European Union at 1.5 per 1,000 inhabitants. The relatively high prevalence in Central and South-eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States can be explained by the fact that the population is much lower than for example in Asia and at the same time reports of trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation and of state-imposed forced labour in the region are numerous.
- The Asia-Pacific region accounts for the largest number of forced labourers in the world; 11.7 million (56%) of the global total, followed by
- Africa at 3.7 million (18%) and
- Latin America with 1.8 million victims (9%).
- The Developed Economies and European Union have 1.5 million (7%) forced labourers.
- Central and South-eastern European countries, and the Commonwealth of Independent States account for 1.6 million (7%).
- There are an estimated 600,000 (3%) victims in the Middle East.
The number of victims per thousand inhabitants is highest in the Central and South-eastern Europe and Africa regions at 4.2 and 4.0 per 1,000 inhabitants respectively. It is the lowest in the Developed Economies and European Union at 1.5 per 1,000 inhabitants. The relatively high prevalence in Central and South-eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States can be explained by the fact that the population is much lower than for example in Asia and at the same time reports of trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation and of state-imposed forced labour in the region are numerous.
- 18.7 million (90%) are exploited in the private economy, by individuals or enterprises. Of these,
- 4.5 million (22%) are victims of forced sexual exploitation and
- 14.2 million (68%) are victims of forced labour exploitation in economic activities, such as agriculture, construction, domestic work or manufacturing.
- 2.2 million (10%) are in state-imposed forms of forced labour, for example in prisons, or in work imposed by the state military or by rebel armed forces.
- 5.5 million (26%) are below 18 years.
- 9.1 million victims (44%) who have moved either internally or internationally.
- 11.8 million (56%), the majority, are subjected to forced labour in their place of origin or residence.
- Cross-border movement is heavily associated with forced sexual exploitation.
Women and girls represent the greater share of the total – 11.4 million (55%), as compared to 9.5 million (45%) men and boys.
Profit estimates of forced labour
Annual profits per victim are highest in the developed economies (US$34,800 per capita), followed by countries in the Middle East (US$15,000 per capita), and lowest in the Asia-Pacific region (US$5,000 per capita) and in Africa (US$3,900 per capita).
Per capita profits are highest in forced sexual exploitation, which can be explained by the demand for such services and the prices clients are willing to pay, by low capital investments and by the low operating costs associated with this activity.