Child labor: Facts, FAQs, and how to help – World Vision

Child Labor and Sustainable Development Goals: A Global Report

Introduction

Nearly 1 in 10 children worldwide are engaged in child labor, which violates their basic human rights and endangers their well-being. The rise in child labor in recent years has been driven by conflicts, crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing families deeper into poverty. This report emphasizes the critical importance of addressing child labor in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Fast Facts on Child Labor

• Child labor is a violation of child protection and human rights.
• Approximately 160 million children were engaged in child labor since 2020, including 63 million girls and 97 million boys.
• Nearly half (79 million) of these children worked under hazardous conditions.
• One in three children involved in child labor are out of school, impacting SDG 4.
• About 70% (112 million) of child laborers work in agriculture, affecting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 8.
• Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest number of child laborers (86.6 million), followed by Central and Southern Asia (26.3 million).
• June 12 is recognized as the World Day Against Child Labour by the United Nations, highlighting global commitment to SDG 8.7.

Definition and Impact of Child Labor

Child labor involves the exploitation of children who are either too young to work or engaged in work harmful to their physical, mental, social, or educational development. This exploitation undermines SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by exposing children to injury and psychological harm.

Prevalence and Regional Distribution

Child labor deprives millions of children globally of their childhood, education, and fundamental rights. UNICEF data indicates that over 20% of children in the poorest countries engage in potentially harmful work. The problem is most acute in regions affected by insecurity and armed conflict.

• Sub-Saharan Africa: Nearly 24% of children aged 5 to 17 are involved in child labor.
• Middle-income countries host more than half of all child laborers, showing the widespread nature of the issue beyond low-income countries.

Case Study: Democratic Republic of the Congo

David, a 13-year-old boy from the DRC, became the sole provider for his family after his father left. Working in a quarry under harsh conditions, David’s situation reflects the challenges faced by many children. World Vision’s intervention, supported by community networks like RECOPE, enabled David’s return to school, aligning with SDG 4 and SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Worst Forms of Child Labor

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 182 mandates the immediate elimination of the worst forms of child labor, which include:

• Slavery and similar practices
• Child trafficking
• Forced recruitment into armed conflict
• Prostitution and pornography
• Drug production and trafficking
• Debt bondage
• Children working in mines
• Hazardous work causing injury or moral corruption

These forms of labor severely violate SDG 8.7 and SDG 16 by perpetuating exploitation and violence against children.

Primary Drivers of Child Labor

Poverty remains the principal driver forcing children into labor, creating a cycle that denies them education and opportunities for economic advancement. Approximately 70% of child laborers work in agriculture, while others are involved in factories, domestic service, or more exploitative labor such as child soldiers or commercial sexual exploitation.

Case Study: Bangladesh

Sajal, a 14-year-old boy from Bangladesh, left school to work in a motorcycle repair workshop to support his impoverished family. His experience highlights the hazardous conditions faced by approximately 79 million children worldwide. World Vision’s programs in Nilphamari have contributed to increased school enrollment and improved child well-being, supporting SDG 4 and SDG 1.

Trends in Child Labor

According to UNICEF and ILO data, child labor increased to 160 million in 2020, marking a reversal in progress after two decades. Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a significant rise due to population growth and extreme poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic and climate-related extreme weather events pose additional risks to millions of children, threatening the achievement of SDG 1 and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

World Vision’s Initiatives to End Child Labor

World Vision is committed to eliminating child labor by empowering children and communities, aligned with multiple SDGs including SDG 1, SDG 4, SDG 8, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Key initiatives include:

• Improving educational quality and learning environments.
• Supporting parents to enhance income and food security.
• Advocating for the enforcement of national child labor laws.
• Promoting social accountability among communities, governments, and businesses.
• Equipping community groups to monitor and protect vulnerable children.
• Providing youth with training, life skills, entrepreneurship, and financial services.

Example: Honduras Coffee Regions

In partnership with local organizations and the private sector, World Vision has established child care and development centers in Honduras’ coffee regions. These centers provide safe spaces for children during harvest seasons, preventing child labor and fostering skill development, directly supporting SDG 8.7 and SDG 4.

How to Contribute to Ending Child Labor

• Pray for children trapped in labor worldwide.
• Donate to support programs protecting children from exploitation and abuse.
• Sponsor a Child to invest in education and community development, fostering sustainable futures.

Historical Milestones in Combating Child Labor

1. 1938: U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act regulated child labor hours and job types.
2. 1973: Minimum Age Convention ratified by 172 countries established employment age limits.
3. 1989: U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child enacted to protect children’s rights.
4. 1992: International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) established.
5. 1999: Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention ratified by 186 countries.
6. 2021: U.N. declared the Year for the Elimination of Child Labor.
7. 2025: Target 8.7 of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals aims to end all forms of child labor.

Conclusion

Addressing child labor is integral to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1, SDG 4, SDG 8, and SDG 16. Coordinated global efforts, community engagement, and sustained advocacy are essential to protect children’s rights and ensure their access to education, safety, and a dignified future.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article highlights poverty as the primary driver of child labor, emphasizing the need to alleviate poverty to reduce child labor.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education – Child labor deprives children of education; the article discusses efforts to improve educational services and school enrollment.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article references Target 8.7 focused on ending child labor and promoting decent work for youth above minimum working age.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – The article mentions child trafficking, forced recruitment into armed conflict, and the need for laws and enforcement to protect children’s rights.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article describes partnerships between organizations, governments, and communities to combat child labor.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 1
   • Target 1.2: Reduce poverty in all its dimensions to eliminate the need for child labor.
2. SDG 4
   • Target 4.1: Ensure all children complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
   • Target 4.5: Eliminate gender disparities and ensure equal access to education for vulnerable children.
3. SDG 8
   • Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor by 2025.
   • Target 8.6: Reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
4. SDG 16
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
5. SDG 17
   • Target 17.16: Enhance global partnerships to support and achieve the ambitious targets of the SDGs, including child labor eradication efforts.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5–17 years engaged in child labor, by sex and age.

• The article provides data such as 160 million children in child labor, 79 million in hazardous work, and regional statistics (e.g., Sub-Saharan Africa with 86.6 million child laborers), which align with this indicator.

• The article notes that 1 in 3 children in child labor are out of school, implying the importance of tracking school enrollment and completion rates.

• Poverty is identified as the main driver of child labor, so monitoring poverty levels is relevant.

• The article mentions child trafficking as a worst form of child labor, implying the need to track trafficking cases.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: worldvision.org