2023年全球奴隶制指数（英）-172页_35mb

2023 Global Slavery Index Summary

Core Content

The Walk Free Foundation has released the Global Slavery Index 2023, highlighting the scale and impact of modern slavery worldwide. The report estimates that 50 million people were living in modern slavery on any given day in 2021, a significant increase from the 2018 index. This figure reflects the growing complexity of global supply chains and the compounding effects of crises such as the climate emergency, armed conflict, and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Findings

Highest Prevalence of Modern Slavery

The countries with the highest prevalence of modern slavery in 2021 are:

• North Korea
• Eritrea
• Mauritania
• Saudi Arabia
• Türkiye
• Tajikistan
• United Arab Emirates
• Russia
• Afghanistan
• Kuwait

These countries often share common challenges, including limited civil liberties, political instability, and systemic exploitation of vulnerable populations.

Lowest Prevalence of Modern Slavery

The countries with the lowest prevalence of modern slavery are:

• Switzerland
• Norway
• Germany
• Netherlands
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Belgium
• Ireland
• Japan
• Finland

Despite these low rates, thousands of people in these countries still face forced labor or marriage, indicating that even in developed nations, modern slavery persists.

Government Response

• The United Kingdom, Australia, and Netherlands have the strongest government responses to modern slavery.
• The least government action is seen in North Korea, Eritrea, and Iran, with some countries even showing a negative trend in addressing the issue.

At-Risk Goods Imported by G20 Nations

G20 nations import US$468 billion worth of goods that are at risk of modern slavery annually. The top five at-risk products are:

• Electronics (US$243.6 billion)
• Garments (US$147.9 billion)
• Palm Oil (US$19.7 billion)
• Solar Panels (US$14.8 billion)
• Textiles (US$12.7 billion)

These goods are often produced under conditions of forced labor, particularly in the lowest tiers of supply chains such as raw material extraction and manufacturing.

Forms of Modern Slavery

Modern slavery encompasses a variety of forms, including:

• Forced Labour
• Forced or Servile Marriage
• Debt Bondage
• Forced Commercial Sexual Exploitation
• Human Trafficking
• Slavery-like Practices
• Sale and Exploitation of Children

Among these, forced marriage affects 28 million people, with 68% being women and girls. Child slavery affects 22 million people, and migrant workers are three times more likely to be in forced labor than non-migrant workers.

Vulnerable Populations

The report underscores that the most vulnerable groups — women, children, and migrants — are disproportionately affected by modern slavery. People from multiple marginalised groups (e.g., based on religion, ethnicity, race, caste, sexual identity, or gender expression) face greater risks due to entrenched biases.

Key Drivers and Risks

Modern slavery is driven by:

• Food insecurity
• Social instability
• Economic inequality
• Climate change
• Conflict
• Weak legal protections
• Exploitative migration systems such as the kafala system in the Gulf States

These factors have led to increased exploitation and forced migration, especially in regions experiencing political instability or authoritarian regimes.

Opportunities for Change

The report calls for a shift from intention to real action to combat modern slavery. It highlights that:

• Consumer culture and global demand for goods have created new risks but also opportunities for change.
• Businesses and investors have a critical role in ensuring ethical supply chains and decent work.
• Survivor voices are increasingly integrated into the data collection and advocacy efforts, leading to more accurate and impactful assessments.

Conclusion

The 2023 Global Slavery Index serves as a call to action for governments, businesses, and individuals to address modern slavery with urgency and effectiveness. While progress has been made in some areas, the report emphasizes that action must be accelerated to meet the global goals of eradicating modern slavery by 2030. The interconnected nature of modern slavery with climate change, conflict, and inequality demands a holistic and coordinated response.

Recommendations

• Governments must strengthen legal protections and enforce existing laws.
• Businesses should conduct due diligence and report on modern slavery risks.
• Investors should support ethical supply chains and sustainable practices.
• Survivors should be centered in policy and advocacy efforts to ensure lasting solutions.

The report concludes that modern slavery is by design, not default, and that systemic change is necessary to address the root causes and protect the most vulnerable.