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Child labour drops worldwide. Explore the data Child labour drops worldwide: explore the data
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New estimates by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) suggest that the number of child labourers worldwide has dropped by a third between 2000 and 2012 from 245 million in to 168 million. In the same period, the number of children doing hazardous work more than halved to just over 85 million.New estimates by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) suggest that the number of child labourers worldwide has dropped by a third between 2000 and 2012 from 245 million in to 168 million. In the same period, the number of children doing hazardous work more than halved to just over 85 million.
Child labour fell at its fastest rate between 2008 and 2012. Five years ago, the ILO estimated that there were 215 million child labourers worldwide.Child labour fell at its fastest rate between 2008 and 2012. Five years ago, the ILO estimated that there were 215 million child labourers worldwide.
While the drop is positive, the 168 million figure suggests that over one in ten children worldwide will still fall under the ILO's definition of a child labourer.While the drop is positive, the 168 million figure suggests that over one in ten children worldwide will still fall under the ILO's definition of a child labourer.
Also, despite this being the biggest fall recorded so far, it still means that the ILO's targets of eliminating the worst forms of child labour by 2016 will not be met.Also, despite this being the biggest fall recorded so far, it still means that the ILO's targets of eliminating the worst forms of child labour by 2016 will not be met.
They will not even be met by 2020 unless the number of children doing hazardous work starts to fall at a rate of 24% a year. As it stands, the average drop is 6.5%.They will not even be met by 2020 unless the number of children doing hazardous work starts to fall at a rate of 24% a year. As it stands, the average drop is 6.5%.
What is child labour?What is child labour?
The ILO, designates whether employment for an under-17 year old is child labour based on the terms set out in its minimum age convention.The ILO, designates whether employment for an under-17 year old is child labour based on the terms set out in its minimum age convention.
Child labour occurs when the person employed is below the age that compulsory schooling in the region ends or is below the age of 15. If a country is underdeveloped in schooling or economic activity then it can apply to the ILO to have its minimum age reduced to 14.Child labour occurs when the person employed is below the age that compulsory schooling in the region ends or is below the age of 15. If a country is underdeveloped in schooling or economic activity then it can apply to the ILO to have its minimum age reduced to 14.
Any work which puts the person in danger must not be completed by a worker under the age of 18. However, a country can also apply to have the minimum age for this reduced to 16 if there are mitigating circumstances.Any work which puts the person in danger must not be completed by a worker under the age of 18. However, a country can also apply to have the minimum age for this reduced to 16 if there are mitigating circumstances.
Where does child labour take place?Where does child labour take place?
The highest number of child labourers are working in Asia and the South Pacific - the ILO estimates the figure at about 78 million. However, when that number is given as a proportion of the overall number of children in the area, Asia and the South Pacific, at 9.9%, is within two percentage points of both the Middle East/North Africa and the Latin America/Carribean regions.The highest number of child labourers are working in Asia and the South Pacific - the ILO estimates the figure at about 78 million. However, when that number is given as a proportion of the overall number of children in the area, Asia and the South Pacific, at 9.9%, is within two percentage points of both the Middle East/North Africa and the Latin America/Carribean regions.
Sub-Saharan Africa has far and away the highest proportion of its children involved in the practice. The ILO estimate of 59 million would mean that one in five children there are child labourers.Sub-Saharan Africa has far and away the highest proportion of its children involved in the practice. The ILO estimate of 59 million would mean that one in five children there are child labourers.
Although most child labour comes in agriculture, both that sector and industry have seen sizeable falls in the number of children involved.Although most child labour comes in agriculture, both that sector and industry have seen sizeable falls in the number of children involved.
However, the number of service sector child workers has remained relatively static and it consequently now holds an increased proportion of child labourers worldwide.However, the number of service sector child workers has remained relatively static and it consequently now holds an increased proportion of child labourers worldwide.
A huge cut in the number of girls in dangerA huge cut in the number of girls in danger
As well as recording the number of child labourers, the ILO study also looked at those doing hazardous work. It defines this as work that "endangers their [children's] health, safety and moral development".As well as recording the number of child labourers, the ILO study also looked at those doing hazardous work. It defines this as work that "endangers their [children's] health, safety and moral development".
The number of girls worldwide doing this sort of work has been reduced by over 60% between 2000 and 2012, a faster rate than the decline for boys, which slowed between 2004 and 2008.The number of girls worldwide doing this sort of work has been reduced by over 60% between 2000 and 2012, a faster rate than the decline for boys, which slowed between 2004 and 2008.
The most pronounced decline in hazardous workers was for children between the ages of five and fifteen. 73 million fewer children under 15 are doing hazardous work than were doing it in 2000.The most pronounced decline in hazardous workers was for children between the ages of five and fifteen. 73 million fewer children under 15 are doing hazardous work than were doing it in 2000.
Can you do more with this data?Can you do more with this data?
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