( CNN ) The second annual edition of the Walk Free Foundation 's Global Slavery Index has found that globally , almost 36 million people are subject to modern slavery . While incidences of slavery were found in every one of the 167 countries surveyed , five countries -- India , China , Pakistan , Uzbekistan and Russia -- accounted for nearly 22 million people ( 61 % ) suffering in bondage . The worst offender , India , accounted for an estimated 14.29 million people . Human slavery , the report states , is defined as `` human trafficking , forced labor , debt bondage , forced or servile marriage , or commercial sexual exploitation . '' Surge in cases . The report found an increase of 20 % on the foundation 's findings a year ago , although it attributed the rise to more sophisticated data collection and analysis . `` There is an assumption that slavery is an issue from a bygone era . Or that it only exists in countries ravaged by war and poverty , '' Andrew Forrest , Chairman and Founder of the Walk Free Foundation , said in a statement . `` The first step in eradicating slavery is to measure it . And with that critical information , we must all come together -- governments , businesses and civil society -- to finally bring an end to the most severe form of exploitation . '' Highest percentages . While some of the world 's most populous nations were home to the bulk of the incidences of modern slavery , other countries had higher percentages of their populations enslaved . The West African nation of Mauritania , the report found , had the highest prevalence , with an estimated 4 % of its population in bondage . Other offenders include Uzbekistan ( 3.97 % ) , Haiti ( 2.3 % ) and Qatar ( 1.35 % ) . The Emirate , which will play host to the World Cup in 2022 , has faced numerous questions concerning its labor laws and the kafala sponsorship system , which limits foreign workers ' rights of movement . `` Qatar hosts significant numbers of foreign workers , and has risen in the ranking due to improved survey data , giving better insight into the high number of enslaved migrant workers in the nation , '' Gina Dafalia , the foundation 's policy and research manager , told CNN . `` It is ranked fourth with an estimated 1.4 % of the population in modern slavery . We consider this to be a conservative estimate . '' Qatar has promised to address criticisms and expects to make announcements concerning repeal of the kafala system in early 2015 . Refugees most vulnerable to slavery . Kevin Bales , lead author of the report , told CNN 's Kristie Lu Stout that vulnerability is a key factor in the prevalence of slavery in a country , and that refugees are particularly susceptible to modern enslavement . `` It 's not a surprise that many of the countries where we see large proportions of the population in slavery are also those countries that are beset by conflict , like Syria , and by other economic and environmental problems , '' he said . The International Labor Organization ( ILO estimates that forced labor generates more than $ 150 billion in illicit profits every year , making it the second largest source of profits for international organized crimes behind the drugs trade . Bright spots . Iceland and Luxembourg , the report finds , have less than 100 people each living in slavery , the lowest number both in prevalence and in absolute numbers . While it acknowledges the efforts made by some countries , such as the Netherlands , Sweden , the U.S. and Australia to tackle the global issue , the report also reprimands some rich countries for not doing more . Hong Kong , Singapore and Brunei , along with Qatar and Kuwait are singled out for mention . The Walk Free Foundation , a global human rights organization with a mission to end modern slavery in a generation , was founded by Australian philanthropists , Andrew and Nicola Forrest .
The Global Slavery Index 2014 report finds that globally , almost 36 million people are subject to modern slavery . India is home to the largest number of enslaved , with over 14 million people living in bondage . Mauritania has the highest percentage , with 4 % of the population enslaved .