In recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we’re taking a closer look at a newly highlighted international analysis is shedding light on the staggering global scale of human trafficking and forced labor, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated action across governments, businesses, and civil society.
According to the article “The Scale of Human Trafficking,” an estimated 27.6 million people worldwide were living in forced labor situations in 2021, representing a 12 percent increase since 2016. The figures are based on a joint consensus study by the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Walk Free Foundation.
The report attributes the growth in trafficking to persistent vulnerabilities such as poverty, discrimination, racial inequity, and gender inequality, along with major global disruptions including the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors have disproportionately impacted migrants, women, and children, increasing their exposure to exploitation and unsafe labor conditions.
One of the most significant findings shows that approximately 86 percent of labor trafficking occurs in the private sector, highlighting the critical role businesses must play in preventing exploitation throughout supply chains, recruitment practices, and labor oversight.
The article emphasizes that solutions cannot rely solely on nonprofits or law enforcement. Instead, meaningful progress requires collaboration among governments, corporations, community organizations, and international partners to address root causes, strengthen worker protections, and improve enforcement.
Researchers note that the core estimate of 27.6 million forced labor victims is strongly supported by authoritative international data and aligns with post-pandemic trends observed by global monitoring agencies. While the report calls for broad societal action, experts acknowledge that additional implementation strategies will be needed to translate awareness into measurable change.
The full article “The Scale of Human Trafficking” is published by Walk Free and draws from the 2021 global consensus study conducted by the ILO, IOM, and Walk Free Foundation.
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