GSI-2016-Full-Report

PREVALENCE
In the third edition of the Index,
an estimated 45.8 million people
are subjected to some form of
modern slavery.
The Index ranks the 167 most populous countries; their combined
populations equalling 99 percent of the total world population.
This research incorporates data from standardised nationally
representative random sample surveys on modern slavery,
including forced marriage, for 25 countries which represent
about 44 percent of the world population.
The 2016 estimate is an increase on the estimate provided in
the previous edition of the Index. As efforts to measure this
hidden crime are relatively new, it is premature to assert that
modern slavery has increased in the intervening period. Indeed,
the results from our national surveys reveal a mixed picture, with
increases in some national estimates and decreases in others.
For example, the national survey in Bangladesh resulted in an
estimate of 1.5 million people in modern slavery, an increase
from the previous estimate of 680,900 people. Similarly, the
national survey in Myanmar led to an increase in the estimate—
from 231,600 in 2014 to 500,000 in this edition.
Conversely, estimates in some countries have decreased as a result
of surveys. In Mauritania, the national survey revealed that 1.06
percent of the population are in some form of modern slavery.
This is a substantial decrease from our previous estimate, but a
finding which we consider to be closer to the true figure due to the
higher level of rigour in random sample surveys. This downward
revision of the estimate for Mauritania illustrates an important
point—the Index does not aim to dramatise the extent of slavery
or to inflate or sensationalise figures. While Mauritania has been
the focus of extensive interest and reporting in the past, it has
not had the benefit of a national survey until now. The extent of
slavery in Mauritania is still high, however more reliable methods
indicate that it is not as high as previously thought.
The 2016 Global Slavery Index presents a ranking of 167 countries
based on the proportion of the population that is estimated to be
in some form of modern slavery. A ranking of one in the Index
indicates the highest concentration of modern slavery within the
population; a ranking of 52 indicates the lowest concentration
of modern slavery. A description of the methodology used to
calculate prevalence can be found in Appendix 2 and a more
detailed paper is available for download from the Global Slavery
Index website (www.globalslaveryindex.org)
This year, the country with the
highest estimated percent of its
population in modern slavery
is North Korea.
Nearly one in 20 North Koreans are estimated to be in modern
slavery. Though information on North Korea is difficult to
verify, pervasive evidence exists that citizens are subjected
to state-imposed forced labour within the country, where the
government requires forced, uncompensated labour from
workers, school children, and university students; and operates
an extensive system of prison labour camps. There are reports
that individuals are forced to work long hours in agriculture and
the logging, construction, mining, and garment industries with
harsh punishments for not meeting quotas. [9] Outside the country,
the government has exported more than 100,000 nationals to
work predominantly in China and Russia on overseas contracts.
Although no accurate figures exist, case studies and journalistic
accounts point to a significant and regular trade of women into
forced marriage and commercial sexual exploitation in China
and other neighbouring states.
The information we have presented about North Korea is
conservative. This closed society denies free inquiry or
expression, and in doing so, prevents meaningful research.
24 | GLOBAL SLAVERY INDEX 2016