40 million in modern slavery and 152 million in child labour around the world

The new research developed jointly by the International Labour Organization (ILO)  and the Walk Free Foundation reveals that the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals will not be achieved unless efforts to fight modern slavery and child labour are dramatically increased.

The data, released during the United Nations General Assembly, shows that in 2016 more than 40 million people around the world were victims of modern slavery and 152 million children. victims of child labour. The new estimates show that women and girls are disproportionately affected by modern slavery, accounting almost 29 million, or 71 per cent of the overall total. Women represent 99 per cent of the victims of forced labour in the commercial sex industry and 84 per cent of forced marriages.

The research reveals that among the 40 million victims of modern slavery, about 25 million were in forced labour, and 15 million were in forced marriage. Child labour remains concentrated primarily in agriculture (70.9 per cent). Almost one in five child labourers work in the services sector (17.1 per cent) while 11.9 per cent of child labourers work in industry.

Mr Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General, said: “The world won’t be in a position to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals unless we dramatically increase our efforts to fight these scourges. These new global estimates can help shape and develop interventions to prevent both forced labour and child labour.”

Mr Andrew Forrest AO, Chairman and Founder of the Walk Free Foundation said: “This study has made an incredible discovery in this area and is now in the possession of everyone. We all – government, business and civil society – must unite to eventually eradicate the greatest injustice of our time in the field of human rights.”

The new global estimates are a collective effort from members of Alliance 8.7, the global partnership to end forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour that brings together key partners representing governments, UN organisations, the private sector, workers’ and employers’ organizations and civil society in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7.

More details here.