North Korea, Eritrea and Mauritania have the highest prevalence of modern slavery in the world, according to the 2023 Global Slavery Index published Wednesday, which noted a "worsening" situation globally since its last survey five years earlier. The figure includes some 28 million people in forced labour and 22 million living in a forced marriage. By this benchmark, reclusive and authoritarian North Korea has the highest prevalence of modern slavery (104.6 per 1,000 population), according to the report. The 10 countries with the highest prevalence of modern slavery have some common characteristics, including "limited protections for civil liberties and human rights". "At its core, modern slavery is a manifestation of extreme inequality.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 24, 2023 19:12 UTC