Sydney, May 31 (RHC)-- An Australian study shows more than 45 million people are currently trapped in modern slavery across the world, up by 28 percent compared to similar estimates two years ago.  The figures were released Tuesday in the 2016 Global Slavery Index, a research report by Australia's Walk Free Foundation, which examined practices such as forced labor, human trafficking, child exploitation and forced marriage.

The findings, which were based on interviews with 25,000 people in different world countries, showed that modern slavery is rampant in Asia-Pacific, where two-thirds of a total of 45.8 slaves live.  The index also found that India has the highest number of slaves, with 18.35 million trapped in modern slavery, with Pakistan, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan coming in close behind.

Commenting on the study, Australian billionaire mining magnate and philanthropist Andrew Forrest, the Walk Free Foundation founder, urged the adoption of more robust measures to end global slavery.

The victims of modern slavery are usually subject to exploitation, a situation they cannot leave due to threats, violence, coercion, abuse of power or deception.  They may be caught in debt bondage and brothels. In other occasions, the victims may also be forced to work as domestic servants against their will.