Annual profits from forced labour in the global private sector economy totalled USD 236 billion, according to the latest study by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). 

The report, ‘Profits and Poverty: The Economics of Forced Labour’ showed that the total amount of illegal profits from forced labour has risen by USD 64 billion, up 37% since 2014. This increase was fuelled by both a growth in the number of people forced into labour and higher profits generated from the exploitation of victims. 

ILO’s study estimates that traffickers and criminals generated close to USD 10,000 per victim, up from USD 8,269, adjusted for inflation a decade ago. 

“Forced labour perpetuates cycles of poverty and exploitation and strikes at the heart of human dignity,” said Gilbert F. Houngbo, ILO Director-General in a press release. “We now know that the situation has only worsened. The international community must urgently come together to take action to end this injustice.” 

Across labour markets, Europe and Central Asia recorded the highest total annual illegal profits from forced labour, amounting to USD 84 billion. This was followed by Asia and the Pacific (USD 62 billion), the Americas (USD 52 billion), Africa (USD 20 billion), and the Arab States (USD 18 billion). 

The report also highlights that when illegal profits are expressed per victim, annual illegal profits are highest in Europe and Central Asia, followed by the Arab States, the Americas, Africa, and Asia and the Pacific.