Which countries have the highest absolute numbers of people in modern slavery today?
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Executive summary
Global estimates put roughly 50 million people in modern slavery around 2017–2021, with the largest absolute country totals concentrated in Asia: India about 11 million, China about 5.8 million, and several other populous countries following them in the 1–4 million range [1] [2]. These figures come from the joint "Global Estimates" (ILO/Walk Free/IOM) and the Walk Free Global Slavery Index, which report country-by-country totals and warn methodology and definitions affect rankings [1] [3].
1. The headline numbers: 50 million worldwide, India and China at the top
The Global Estimates produced by ILO, Walk Free and IOM indicate about 50 million people were in situations of modern slavery on any given day during 2017–2021; country breakdowns show India as the single largest national total—around 11 million—and China second with roughly 5.8 million [1] [2]. Walk Free’s Global Slavery Index provides the country-level data and context used to produce those top-country counts [3].
2. Why absolute numbers concentrate in Asia: population and prevalence
Absolute counts track two things: the size of a country’s population and the measured prevalence of slavery within it. Asia and the Pacific contain the largest share of victims by sheer population and reported incidences, which explains why multiple Asian countries appear in the top ranks [4] [2]. The Global Slavery Index underscores that higher absolute totals often reflect large populations combined with vulnerabilities such as poverty, weak governance, conflict and exploitative labour systems [3].
3. Different sources, different emphases — totals vs. prevalence
International reporting distinguishes absolute numbers (total victims in a country) from prevalence (victims per 1,000 people). The Global Estimates and Walk Free’s Index focus on total numbers for 160 countries; other compilations highlight prevalence, which can elevate smaller states or conflict-affected countries even when their absolute totals are lower [3] [5]. Statista’s country list echoes the Global Estimates totals in naming India and China as top countries by absolute numbers [2].
4. How the researchers arrive at these figures — and their limits
The Global Estimates methodology combines surveys, administrative data and modelling to estimate forced labour and forced marriage; it explicitly notes gaps — especially for children and certain exploitative contexts — and cautions that reliable data are not available for all populations, so results are model-driven [1]. Walk Free says its Index answers how many people are in modern slavery, what makes them vulnerable, and how governments respond, but it too acknowledges methodological constraints and that results depend on definitions and data availability [3] [1].
5. Trends: the problem appears to be growing, according to authoritative voices
Recent reporting and UN commentary reference an increase compared to earlier estimates: the 2021/2022 comparisons show about 10 million more people in modern slavery than 2016 estimates, and multiple outlets summarize the 50 million figure as a worsening trend [6] [7] [1]. The World Economic Forum and other commentators underscore that modern slavery’s scale challenges current international and national responses [8].
6. What the headline numbers hide: forms of slavery and drivers
The totals combine forced labour, forced marriage and state-imposed forced labour, plus other exploitations; the mix differs by country. Walk Free highlights drivers — conflict, climate shocks, weak governance and exploitative labour regimes — that increase vulnerability, meaning two countries with similar totals may have very different underlying problems [3] [8].
7. Competing viewpoints and caveats journalists must report
Sources converge on the roughly 50 million global figure and India/China as largest absolute national totals, but they differ on interpretation and emphasis: some reporting foregrounds absolute counts [2] [1], others emphasize prevalence or regional patterns [4] [5]. All sources warn that measurement is imperfect — survey gaps, hidden populations and definitional choices affect country rankings [1] [3].
8. What remains unaddressed in the available reporting
Available sources do not mention a definitive, universally accepted single-year country ranking beyond the cited Global Estimates and Walk Free-derived lists; nor do they provide fully disaggregated up-to-the-day 2025 country totals within these materials excerpted here [3] [1]. For the most up-to-date country-by-country table, consult the Walk Free Global Slavery Index country pages and the full Global Estimates dataset referenced above [3] [1].
Summary: respected international estimates place about 50 million people in modern slavery and identify India and China as the countries with the highest absolute numbers; those conclusions rest on complex modelling and acknowledged data gaps that make rankings indicative rather than definitive [1] [2] [3].