50 million trapped in modern slavery

Fifty million people around the world are trapped in modern slavery, either forced to work against their will or forced into marriage to another person, new data suggests.

The number of people in forced labour, including sex trafficking, has risen to 28 million, with a further 22 million in forced marriages, according to a report published on Monday.

Around 10 million more people are said to have fallen victim to forms of modern slavery in 2021 compared with 2016, with women and children worst affected.

The figures are part of research undertaken by the International Labour Organization, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the anti-trafficking human rights group Walk Free.

Guy Ryder, Director General of the International Labour Organisation, said: “We know what needs to be done, and we know it can be done…but governments cannot do this alone".

“Trade unions, employers’ organisations, civil society and ordinary people all have critical roles to play", he added. Citizens in the UK have been asked to report suspected signs of modern slavery to police.

CARE campaigns for victims of modern slavery to be afforded more rights and protections under UK law, and was instrumental in the establishing of anti-trafficking laws.

TO find out more about CARE's work in this area, visit our cause page: CARE for Human Trafficking