What is Modern Slavery?
Modern slavery is exploitation so severe that people cannot refuse or leave their situation — whether through threats, coercion, deception or abuse of vulnerability. Learn how it happens and what you can do.
What is modern slavery?
Modern slavery refers to situations of exploitation where individuals are unable to refuse or leave work due to threats, deception, coercion, or abuse of vulnerability. It deprives people of their freedom—whether it’s the freedom to say no to a job, to leave, or to choose whom and when to marry. Common forms include forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, human trafficking, slavery-like practices, and the worst forms of child labour.
How victims are controlled
Global Snapshot
50 million people lived in modern slavery in 2021
27.6m in forced labour
22m in forced marriage
12m+ children
54% women & girls
Australia
41,000 estimated people in modern slavery
How Modern Slavery Works
No one chooses slavery. Instead, people are often lured by seemingly legitimate opportunities—like work or travel—which turn into traps. Once ensnared:
They often earn nothing, endure physical and psychological abuse, and often sexual violence.
Their freedom is taken through manipulation, threats, confinement, or actual violence.
Victims often endure injuries, chronic health issues, trauma, and isolation—with their identity documents confiscated and families threatened to ensure compliance.
Modern slavery exists worldwide: from hidden factories to fishing boats, to suburban scam operations right here in Australia.
High Risk Industries
Typical Signs of Modern Slavery
Restricted movement or guarded living spaces
No access to ID documents
Little or no pay, or high debt to employer
Threats or physical / sexual abuse
Threats agains their family
Global Scale of Modern Slavery
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Global:
Modern slavery exists in every region, from wealthy cities to to rural villages. Victims are trapped in private homes, on fishing boats, and deep within the supply chains of everyday products. No country is untouched.
Nearly 1 in every 150 people worldwide are in modern slavery.
50 million people are in modern slavery.
27.6 million are in forced labour
22 million are in forced marriage
1 in 4 are children
54% are women and girls.
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Asia-Pacific
Asia and the Pacific accounted for nearly 60% of all people in modern slavery, with high rates of forced labour and marriage across populous and conflict-affected nations.
29.3 million people in modern slavery
India, China, and North Korea, together account for two-thirds of all people in modern slavery in the region
Forced labour: 15 million (3rd highest prevalence globally)
Forced marriage: 14.3 million (2nd highest prevelance globally)
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Africa
Africa had the fourth highest prevalence of modern slavery, with millions trapped in forced labour and marriage, especially in conflict-affected countries.
7 million people in modern slavery
Forced labour: 3.8 million (14% of global total)
Forced marriage: 3.2 million (13% of global total)
⚠️ Key Drivers
Discrimination against migrants and minority ethnic or cultural groups
Conflict, political instability, mass displacement, and poverty
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Europe And Central Asia
Europe and Central Asia had the second highest prevalence of modern slavery, with forced labour especially widespread in countries like Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine.
6.4 million people in modern slavery
Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine.together account for nearly 60% of all people in modern slavery in the region
Forced labour: 4.1 million (2nd highest prevalence globally)
Forced marriage: 2.3 million (3rd highest prevalence globally)
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Americas
The Americas had the lowest prevalence of modern slavery, but still over 5 million people were affected, with children and migrant workers particularly vulnerable.
5.1 million people in modern slavery
Brazil, United States, and Mexico account for 60% of all people in modern slavery in the region
⚠️ Vulnerable Groups
Seasonal, temporary, and undocumented agricultural workers
(especially in the US and Canada)Prison labour reported in Brazil and the US
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Arab States
Despite having the lowest total number of victims, the Arab States had the highest prevalence of modern slavery globally, driven largely by forced labour and forced marriage.
1.7 million people in modern slavery
Forced labour: 5.3 per 1,000
Forced marriage: 4.8 per 1,000
⚠️ Vulnerable groups:
Female domestic workers: at risk of forced labour in private homes
Male migrant workers: vulnerable to debt bondage in construction
Modern Slavery in Australia – A Closer Look
Although often out of sight, modern slavery is a reality in Australia.
The 2023 Global Slavery Index estimates 41,000 people in Australia are living in modern slavery—approximately 1.6 per 1,000 people—ranking Australia 26th in the Asia-Pacific region and 149th globally in prevalence.
Forced labour is most common in agriculture, construction, domestic work, meat processing, cleaning, hospitality, and food services—industries heavily reliant on migrant workers.
In the 2024–25 financial year, the Australian Federal Police received 420 reports of modern slavery, equating to an average of one report per day. For every reported case, an estimated three cases remain undetected.
Exit trafficking reports in Australia have jumped more than 100 per cent in a single year, as reports of human trafficking and modern slavery reach an all-time high.
This tells us the true scale of modern slavery in Australia is likely much higher.
Why this matters to all of us
We may not directly witness modern slavery, but it exists in the clothes we wear, the food we eat, and the electronics we use. For example:
Migrant workers tricked into factory jobs end up working 16-hour days in dangerous conditions, earning nothing, and suffering injuries and trauma.
Agricultural and fishing workers can be forced into debt bondage, confined on boats or farms, beaten, and threatened—sometimes indefinitely.
In Australia, foreign tourists on working-holiday visas have been coerced into scam call centres, imprisoned in suburbia and forced to defraud others.
Myths vs Facts
Myth: Modern slavery doesn't happen in developed countries.
Fact: It does — including in Australia.
Myth: Only people in extreme poverty are affected.
Fact: People in many socio-economic groups, including migrants and those facing sudden vulnerability, can be exploited.
Stories of Modern Slavery
These short stories are true stories of child labour, entrapment, forced labour, human trafficking and modern slavery.
Legislation, business action & accountability
Australia’s Modern Slavery Act (2018)
This vital law mandates organisations with revenues over AUD 100 million to report publically on efforts to identify and address modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains.
What Businesses Can Do
Map and transparently report on supply chains
Implement robust human rights and anti-slavery due diligence
Support survivors through protection, compensation, and rehabilitation
What Government Can Do
Stronger enforcement of current laws
Support survivor-centred remedies and cross-border cooperation are essential to drive change
Implement recommendations of several inquiries to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act
Implement importation ban of goods made with forced labour
What You Can Do
Consumers
Ask businesses about supply chains, and choose transparent brands where possible. Educate yourself on modern slavery.
Citizens
Contact your elected representatives, support stronger laws and public reporting requirements.
Supporters
Donate, volunteer, or amplify organisations and campaigns aimed at ending modern slavery.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Poverty, lack of legal protections, discrimination, desire for work abroad, lack of hope in home country, and weak enforcement create conditions where exploiters can operate.
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Look for restricted movement, withheld pay or documents, signs of physical abuse or fear, and inconsistent stories about working conditions.
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Human trafficking typically involves the movement of people (trans national and within national borders) for the purpose of exploitation. Modern slavery is a broader term covering multiple exploitative practices, whether or not movement occurred.
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Through the Modern Slavery Act 2018, law enforcement, increased reporting and NGO action. However, experts call for stronger enforcement, stronger laws to prevent modern slavery, and protect survivors.