Even in the 21st century, the specter of slavery continues to haunt various corners of the globe, undermining human rights and societal progress. Despite the abolition of slavery in international law and the constitutions of most countries, it persists in hidden forms under the umbrella term 'modern slavery,' which encompasses forced labor, bonded labor, human trafficking, child labor, and forced marriage.
In the spotlight of our article are the countries where slavery is still significantly prevalent. In this context, the term 'slavery' is used to denote any situation in which individuals are de facto forced to work through coercion, mental or physical threat, deception, or 'debt bondage,' where they're forced to work to pay off a debt. Here, we will focus on this disquieting issue using data from credible sources, including the Global Slavery Index, a tool that provides a country-by-country estimate of the prevalence of modern slavery.
Key findings from the data include:
The persistence of slavery in our time is a pressing issue that necessitates global commitment and concerted efforts. Understanding the magnitude and the root causes of slavery in these and other nations is the first step towards devising effective strategies to eradicate this inhumane practice once and for all.
To sort the data in the table, click on the column headers.