New data shows 40 million trapped in modern slavery 

More than 40 million people worldwide are trapped in modern slavery, while some 152 million children—or one in 10 globally—are subjected to forced labour.

The findings come in two reports published on Tuesday which lay out new research on what the authors say is "the true scale" of these problems.

The first report, which focuses on forced labour and forced marriage, is by a UN-backed alliance working to stamp out modern slavery by 2030.

It reveals that women and girls account for 71 per cent of those affected.

They also represent a staggering 99 per cent of victims of forced labour in the commercial sex industry and 84 per cent of forced marriages.

The second report outlines global estimates of child labour, which is mostly concentrated in agriculture.

Worldwide, 64 million girls and 88 million boys aged 5 to 17 are affected.

The majority are in Africa, followed by Asia and the Pacific.

That report was prepared by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which also contributed to the study on modern slavery.

ILO chief Guy Ryder stated that "the message….is very clear: the world won't be in a position to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals unless we dramatically increase our efforts to fight these scourges."


Dianne Penn, United Nations/GBC
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