Global Slavery Index | Freedom United

Global Slavery Index

The Global Slavery Index (GSI) uses survey data, statistical models, and a variety of other metrics to estimate the prevalence of modern slavery Using surveys conducted by Gallup and analyze government response in 167 different countries. Currently in its fourth edition, it was first published in 2013, and provides the only comprehensive global estimate of the number of people in modern slavery.

What are the findings?

According to the GSI, modern slavery “refers to situations of exploitation that a person cannot refuse or leave because of threats, violence, coercion, deception, abuse of power” and “is a hidden crime that affects every country in the world” (GSI 2018: 7). Over the years, the growth of the global anti-slavery movement has resulted in greater collaboration from NGOs and governments, and unprecedented access to new sources of data, meaning we now have the most accurate picture of how many people are enslaved around the world. The 2018 Global Slavery Index estimates it’s a massive 40.3 million. That’s around the size of Sydney, London, Seoul, and Delhi combined.

It’s a big number, but it doesn’t mean that the situation is hopeless. The momentum within the anti-slavery movement is growing, but the key to our success is to build an even bigger global movement – one that business and governments around the world cannot ignore. Join us as we build one voice against slavery.

Learn more

Learn the facts about where modern slavery exists in your own country and around the world by downloading the full 2018 GSI Report here. The GSI is published by the Walk Free Foundation. Want to know more about the GSI’s methodology? Click here.