Summary
A new report from UNICEF and the International Labor Organization shows that child labor has decreased worldwide over the past five years, with 20 million fewer children working. However, 138 million children still work, often in unsafe conditions. Poverty and lack of access to education are leading causes of child labor, and regions like Asia have made progress with strategies that include financial support for families and access to free schooling.
Key Facts
- UNICEF and the International Labor Organization report on child labor shows a decline in working children by 20 million in five years.
- Currently, 138 million children are involved in child labor around the world.
- Of these, 54 million children work in dangerous conditions that harm their health.
- Poverty is a key reason children start working, often from as young as 5 years old.
- Access to free education and financial support for families helps reduce child labor.
- In Asia, child labor dropped from 13% in 2008 to 3% in 2024, partly due to improved access to schooling and financial aid.
- In sub-Saharan Africa, child labor remains high, with 22% of children working as of 2024, due to limited schooling and reliance on agriculture.
- Many children in sub-Saharan Africa work on family farms, where schooling options are often not available.
