Geneva: More than 130 million children worldwide were reported to be engaged in child labour in 2024, with roughly 54 million involved in hazardous work, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF. These figures highlight a significant concern for global child welfare, as such labor poses risks to health, safety, and development.
According to Ghana News Agency, the latest data shows a decrease of over 20 million child laborers since 2020, which counters a troubling increase seen from 2016 to 2020. Despite this progress, global efforts have fallen short of the 2025 target to eliminate child labour entirely. The report, titled 'Child Labour: Global estimates 2024, trends and the road forward,' underscores the ongoing challenges faced by millions of children who are unable to enjoy their right to education and play.
Gilbert F. Houngbo, the ILO's Director-General, emphasized that while the findings offer hope, there is still a considerable distance to cover to eliminate child labour. He highlighted the importance of supporting parents with access to decent work, enabling them to keep their children in school rather than in labor.
Agriculture remains the predominant sector for child labour, accounting for 61 percent of cases. This is followed by the services sector, including domestic work and market activities, which comprises 27 percent, and the industry sector, such as mining and manufacturing, which accounts for 13 percent. Significant regional variations exist, with Asia and the Pacific achieving the most notable reduction in child labour prevalence since 2020.
Sub-Saharan Africa bears the greatest burden, with nearly two-thirds of the global child labour population located in the region. Although the prevalence has slightly decreased, the total number remains unchanged due to various factors, such as population growth and limited social protection systems.
Catherine Russell, UNICEF's Executive Director, noted that although progress had been made, many children continue to work in hazardous conditions. She called for legal safeguards, expanded social protection, and quality education investments to ensure that children are in classrooms and playgrounds instead of work environments.
The report warned that reductions in support for social services and education could force vulnerable families to resort to child labour, emphasizing the need for sustained and increased funding. It also highlighted the gender dynamics of child labour, where boys are more likely to be involved, but the trend reverses when accounting for unpaid household chores.
The ILO and UNICEF are urging governments to invest in social protection, quality education, and decent work for adults to prevent child labour. They also call for the enforcement of laws to protect children across supply chains.