While many may associate slavery with historical eras, the reality is that modern slavery still persists in many parts of the world today. This includes forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriages, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation where people cannot freely leave their situation. According to research by the Walk Free Foundation, slavery-like practices exist in over 160 countries. we examine some of the countries with the most significant problems — and help understand how and why these practices continue.
North Korea: State-Imposed Labour and Forced Services
North Korea is often cited as having the highest prevalence of modern slavery relative to its population — an estimated 2.7 million people, or approximately 1 in 10, are in forced labour situations under state control.
Here, the government uses forced labour for economic and political purposes: individuals are made to work in mines, factories or on construction projects with little or no compensation, and movement is severely restricted. This underscores one of the most extreme cases of modern slavery.
India: The Largest Absolute Number of Enslaved People
India ranks highest in terms of the total number of people affected by modern slavery—over 11 million according to recent estimates.
Forms of exploitation include bonded labour (especially in agriculture, brick-making and domestic work), forced marriage, child labour and trafficking. These problems persist despite legal prohibitions and illustrate how sheer scale, poverty and weak enforcement create environments where slavery can continue.
China: Forced Labour in Supply Chains
China has an estimated 5.8 million people living in modern slavery conditions, including forced labour and forced marriage.
In particular, concerns have been raised about migrant workers, labour exploitation in supply chains and restrictions on certain ethnic minorities. Given China’s large role in global manufacturing and export, these slavery-linked issues have global ramifications.
Pakistan: Debt Bondage and Child Exploitation
Pakistan has been estimated to have around 2.3 million people in modern slavery.
Many poor families become trapped in debt bondage: they borrow money and then must work indefinitely to repay the debt, often under exploitative conditions. Women and children are especially vulnerable to forced marriage and domestic exploitation. These issues highlight how socio-economic vulnerability leads to modern slavery.
Mauritania: Hereditary Slavery and Social Caste
Mauritania has one of the highest prevalence rates of modern slavery (as a percentage of its population). Hereditary slavery—where people are born into servitude because of their descent—remains a serious issue, despite being outlawed.
Structural inequality, weak law enforcement and social acceptance of slavery-linked practices make this one of the enduring examples of classical slavery forms surviving into modern times.
Why Slavery Still Exists: Common Drivers
Several recurring factors enable modern slavery to persist across these and other countries:
Poverty and marginalisation: When people lack other options, they are vulnerable to coercion or exploitative debt arrangements.Weak legal protection and enforcement: Laws may exist, but without enforcement and accountability, abuses continue.Supply-chain complexity: In globalised economies, goods may be produced via forced labour far from scrutiny, making erasure difficult.Social and cultural norms: In some places, practices like bonded labour or exploitation of certain castes or ethnic groups are historically entrenched (as in Mauritania).Conflict and state-control: In places like North Korea, state mechanisms enforce forced labour and restrict freedoms, making victims invisible and voiceless.
Conclusion: Slavery Today Requires Global Awareness and Action
The fact is: slavery still exists. It is not a relic of the past, but a present-day challenge in many parts of the world. From North Korea’s state-imposed labour to India’s massive numbers, China’s vast supply-chains, Pakistan’s debt bondage and Mauritania’s hereditary systems — modern slavery takes many forms.
Eradicating it demands global awareness, robust laws, strong enforcement, ethical supply-chains, and support for vulnerable populations. Only then can the world move closer to the vision of a slavery-free society.
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