See a couple of useful graphics here on the tragic issue of Human Enslavement around the world. The results might surprise you.

The enslavement of people around the world has been a problem throughout history and no less so today.

The first graphic shows, in nominal terms, the worst offenders by country and some additional numbers for places you would think would not have this issue. Make no mistake---it IS a social problem in EVERY country on earth.  (Click on image to make larger).

Source: The Global Slavery Index 2013

While looking at the nominal numbers above is useful at getting the big picture of enslavement, I wondered if those numbers expressed as a percent of the population would yield any empirical value.

In the chart below the countries are ordered from highest percent of the population to lowest.

When we look at it this way, the top 10 STILL remains the same for the most part (nominal AND in percentage terms) with a couple of exceptions.  Hungary and Poland move in the top 11 (or 11 tied with Russia).  Vietnam, Bangladesh and China move down the list a bit.

Pakistan and India are prominent at the top. There is a large drop off after that.

The US and Saudi Arabia have roughly the same number of people considered enslaved but in percentage terms of the population the problem is 20 times worse in Saudi Arabia.

In nominal terms Peru and Venezuela have fewer enslaved people than Saudi Arabia, but have a significantly higher percentage of their population considered to be enslaved.  That was surprising to me, given the attention Saudi Arabia gets in the general media (deservedly so).

Do you notice any patterns that stick out that I don't see?  Feel free to add in the comments below.

If you want to learn more or need an excellent research resource, go HERE for the full report from The Global Slavery Index 2013

If you believe this has any value feel free to pass this on to your friends and others who are interested in this tragic issue.