Estimates indicate that between 1 million and 1.25 million White Europeans were captured and enslaved by the Barbary Pirates , with some sources suggesting up to 1.5 million over the period from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Specific raids, such as the 1544 raid on Ischia, which captured 4,000 prisoners, highlight the scale; however, overall numbers vary due to incomplete records.

The Barbary Pirates, operating from the North African coast, particularly in the regions of Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, were notorious for their slave raids from the 16th to the 19th centuries. This review aims to provide a detailed examination of the number of people enslaved and their demographics, drawing on historical records and contemporary analyses to offer a comprehensive understanding of the topic. The discussion begins with the scale of enslavement, extends to the demographics of captives, and includes specific examples and estimates to illustrate the scope and impact.

The Barbary slave trade involved the capture of a significant number of Europeans, with estimates varying based on historical sources. Robert Davis, in his 2004 book "Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters: White Slavery in the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast, and Italy, 1500-1800", estimates that between 1 million and 1.25 million Europeans were enslaved between 1530 and 1780, with an additional 475,000 possibly taken in the centuries before and after this period.

Another source, Remembering the Barbary Slaves: White Slaves and North African Pirates | Ancient Origins, suggests up to 1.25 million Europeans enslaved, while The forgotten slaves of the West Country - The BV estimates over a million men, women, and children between 1530 and 1780.

Specific raids provide concrete numbers, such as 4,000 prisoners from Ischia in 1544, 2,000–7,000 from Lipari in the same year, and 400 from Iceland in 1627, as noted in the article on the Barbary slave trade on Wikipedia.

Davis's methodology involved calculating the number of new slaves needed to replace those who died, escaped, or were ransomed, based on contemporary estimates at various locations.

For instance, he estimated about 8,500 new slaves captured annually between 1580 and 1680 to maintain the population, and at least 400 English sailors lost per year in the 17th century.

The HistoryExtra article When Britons Were Slaves In Africa: The People Enslaved By Barbary Pirates | HistoryExtra suggests that up to 25,000 Britons were enslaved between the late 16th and early 18th centuries, with specific instances like 3,000 in Algiers and 1,500 in Sallee in May 1626, though these numbers may be inflated.

The demographics of those enslaved by the Barbary Pirates were diverse, encompassing men, women, and children from various European Christian communities. The majority were sailors, particularly English, as well as crews taken on by ships, and fishermen and coastal villagers, primarily from Mediterranean countries, especially Italy.