What is child labour
Not all work done by children should be classified as child labour that is to be targeted for elimination. The participation of children or adolescents above the minimum age for admission to employment in work that does not affect their health and personal development or interfere with their schooling, is generally regarded as being something positive. This includes activities such as assisting in a family business or earning pocket money outside school hours and during school holidays. These kinds of activities contribute to children’s development and to the welfare of their families; they provide them with skills and experience, and help to prepare them to be productive members of society during their adult life.
The term “child labour” is often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. It refers to work that:
The term “child labour” is often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. It refers to work that:
- is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children; and/or
- interferes with their schooling by: depriving them of the opportunity to attend school; obliging them to leave school prematurely; or requiring them to attempt to combine school attendance with excessively long and heavy work.
2020 Global Estimates of Child Labour
Number of children in child labour
Number of children in child labour
Child labour is more prevalent among boys than girls at every age
Child labour is more prevalent among boys than girls at every age
The agricultural sector accounts for the largest share of child labour worldwide
The agricultural sector accounts for the largest share of child labour worldwide
Over one third of children in child labour are out of school
Over one third of children in child labour are out of school
Further information
Child labour: a textbook for university students
Child labour: a textbook for university students
Eliminating the worst forms of child labour: a practical guide to ILO Convention no. 182 (Handbook for parliamentarians, no. 3, 2002)
Eliminating the worst forms of child labour: a practical guide to ILO Convention no. 182 (Handbook for parliamentarians, no. 3, 2002)
Combating child labour: A handbook for labour inspectors
Combating child labour: A handbook for labour inspectors