The ILO says 11.4 million women and girls and 9.5
million men and boys are victims of forced labour
Forced labour generates illegal
profits of at least $150bn (£90bn; 110bn euros) a year, a study by the
International Labour Organization (ILO) says.
The profits are far higher than previous estimates and the ILO wants governments to tackle the problem.
Some 21 million people worldwide are in forced labour, it says, with migrant workers most vulnerable.
Over half of all forced labourers work in Asia, with 18% in Africa and almost 10% in Latin America.
The BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva says the findings of the new report shocked even the ILO itself.
"This new report takes our understanding of trafficking, forced labour and modern slavery to a new level," ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said.
The ILO found that none of the illegal profits were going into the pockets of the workers, and none of the money was paid as tax revenue.
The group says that two thirds of the huge figure comes from the sex industry, with the rest primarily from domestic work, agriculture and construction.
But it admits that much forced labour is controlled by organised crime networks and is very difficult to combat.
In response to its findings, the organisation is asking governments to address the root causes of forced labour: poverty, lack of training and job opportunities.
The profits are far higher than previous estimates and the ILO wants governments to tackle the problem.
Some 21 million people worldwide are in forced labour, it says, with migrant workers most vulnerable.
Over half of all forced labourers work in Asia, with 18% in Africa and almost 10% in Latin America.
The BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva says the findings of the new report shocked even the ILO itself.
"This new report takes our understanding of trafficking, forced labour and modern slavery to a new level," ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said.
The ILO found that none of the illegal profits were going into the pockets of the workers, and none of the money was paid as tax revenue.
The group says that two thirds of the huge figure comes from the sex industry, with the rest primarily from domestic work, agriculture and construction.
But it admits that much forced labour is controlled by organised crime networks and is very difficult to combat.
In response to its findings, the organisation is asking governments to address the root causes of forced labour: poverty, lack of training and job opportunities.
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