CONTEMPORARY SLAVERY IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBALIZATION: A COMPARATIVE REGIONAL ANALYSIS (2000-2026)

This mixed-methods research examines the complex relationship between globalization processes and contemporary slavery across six world regions during the period 2000-2026. Despite the universal prohibition of slavery, an estimated 50 million people remain trapped in modern slavery globally, with evidence suggesting this figure has increased despite intensifying economic integration. This study investigates how specific dimensions of globalization—economic, political, and social—interact with regional conditions to facilitate or constrain exploitation. The research employs a sequential explanatory design combining quantitative analysis of 160 countries using panel regression models with qualitative case studies of 10 selected nations representing diverse globalization pathways. Data sources include the Global Slavery Index, International Labour Organization estimates, World Bank indicators, and the KOF Globalisation Index. Findings reveal that political globalization demonstrates the strongest protective effect against slavery prevalence (β = -.22, p = .002), while economic globalization shows no significant direct relationship. Governance quality, measured through rule of law indicators, emerges as a critical mediating variable (β = -16.28, p < .001), explaining why countries with similar globalization levels exhibit vastly different slavery outcomes. Regional analysis reveals persistent disparities, with the Middle East (8.70 per 1,000) and South Asia (8.47 per 1,000) showing the highest prevalence rates, while governance gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa and conflict dynamics in Eastern Europe present unique challenges. These findings have significant implications for international policy frameworks, suggesting that anti-slavery interventions must prioritize strengthening governance institutions and political integration over solely economic liberalization approaches. The study contributes to theoretical debates on globalization's distributional consequences and provides evidence-based recommendations for the United Nations, International Labour Organization, and national governments seeking to address the exploitation embedded within global economic systems.