New index reveals 30 million modern slaves worldwide

Based on official figures, there are about 30 million people around the world who are being enslaved.

13:31 17 October 2013

The Global Slavery Index 2013 has revealed that currently there are about 30 million people from across the globe who are living as slaves.

Among the 162 countries surveyed, India emerged to be the country with most number of slaves at 14 million. However, Mauritania has the highest proportional figure with about 4per cent of its population believed to be enslaved.

The index was compiled by Walk Free Foundation, an Australian-based rights organisation that defines modern slavery by such factors including forced marriage, debt bondage, and human trafficking.

WFF chief executive Nick Grono told the French news agency Agence France-Presse said: "A lot of governments won't like hearing what we have to say.”

"Those governments that want to engage with us, we will be very open to engaging and looking at ways in which we can better measure the issue of modern slavery."

The top 10 countries together with estimated number of slaves are listed are the following:

India - 13,956,010
China - 2,949,243
Pakistan - 2,127,132
Nigeria - 701,032
Ethiopia - 651,110
Russia - 516,217
Thailand - 472,811
DR Congo - 462,327
Burma - 384,037
Bangladesh - 343,192