The latest global slavery index has been published and reveals nearly 46 million people are thought to be trapped in modern slavery around the globe.

The research, conducted by Australian based group Walk Free Foundation, looked at the prevalence of modern slavery in 167 countries around the world. It increased the global estimate to 45.8 million, up from 35.8 million in the last global survey.

India is the country with the greatest number of people forced to live in some form of slavery with an estimated 18.3million thought to be in slavery there. Meanwhile 58 per cent of those living in slavery across the globe are in five countries: India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.

The global index also estimates that 11,700 are trapped in slavery in the United Kingdom which is 0.02 per cent of the UK population.

Britain was one of a number of countries who was commended in the survey for its response to modern slavery with particular praise reserved for the anti-trafficking laws now in place in the UK.

Last year, the Modern Slavery Act was passed by MPs, representing the first dedicated piece of anti-slavery legislation to be passed into law in the UK for nearly 200 years.

CARE’s Human Trafficking expert, Louise Gleich said:

“These figures show a shocking a number of people are still trapped in some form of modern slavery all across the globe. The equivalent of roughly two thirds of the entire UK population are being held in some form of slavery across the world, which is a global disgrace.

“This should serve as a serious wake-up call to people everywhere, highlighting that modern slavery exists and that it is rife.

“Even here in the UK, more than 11,000 people are currently thought to be trapped in slavery and I suspect many people will be staggered this is happening on our doorstep.

“In Britain, we have dedicated anti-trafficking legislation in all parts of the country and it is critical that local authorities, the police and other agencies co-operate to ensure the new laws are properly implemented.

“All of us also have a responsibility to keep vigilant for signs of this vile trade happening on our doorsteps.

“Modern slavery is a horrible and malicious trade that thrives on secrecy and ignorance. We must work with our international partners to do all we can to end this de-humanising trade.”

Notes to Editors:

For more information please contact James Mildred on 07581153693 / 02072274731 or email james.mildred@care.org.uk

Read the new global slavery index figures here: http://www.globalslaveryindex.org/country-studies/

The UK results can be found here: http://www.globalslaveryindex.org/country/united-kingdom/

This is a summary of the report’s key findings:

• Asia is home to an estimated two-thirds of the total number of people living in modern slavery.

• Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for about 15 percent of the global figure.

• India is the country with the greatest number of individuals living in some form of modern slavery, estimated at 18.3 million.

• China came second with an estimated 3.4 million people and Pakistan third with an estimated 2.1 million.

• North Korea is the country with the highest estimated proportion of modern slavery with nearly one in every 20 North Koreans, or 4.37 percent of a 25 million population, living in slavery.

• Governments taking the most steps to combat modern slavery were the Netherlands, the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia, Portugal, Croatia, Spain, Belgium and Norway.

• The least action was being taken by the governments of North Korea, Iran, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Hong Kong, Central African Republic, Papua New Guinea, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan.

CARE previously welcomed the commencement of new powers to tackle slavery in England and Wales under the Modern Slavery Act: http://www.care.org.uk/news/latest-news/crucial-new-anti-slavery-powers-come-force