137.6 Million Children Still Trapped in Global Child Labor Crisis
A new report reveals that 137.6 million children worldwide are engaged in child labor, representing 7.8% of all 5- to 17-year-olds. The majority, 60.7%, work in agriculture, with 26.7% in services and 12.7% in industry. The number of child workers has decreased by over 100 million since 2000, despite a population increase.
The report highlights alarming figures: 57.4% of child workers are aged 5 to 11, and 20.2% are aged 12 to 14. Among 5- to 11-year-olds, 68.1% work in agriculture, and 7.3% in industry. In 2024, sub-Saharan Africa had the highest number of child workers, with 86.6 million, representing 63.0% of all child workers.
NGOs like 'Kinderarbeit stoppen', solidar Austria, and others have been fighting against child labor in export-oriented industries. They push for stronger supply chain laws and take legal action against companies involved in abuses, particularly in coffee and cocoa supply chains. Despite progress, 54.0 million children are engaged in hazardous work, including 10.3 million aged 5 to 11.
While the number of child workers has decreased significantly since 2000, the figures remain alarming. The majority of child labor occurs in agriculture, with sub-Saharan Africa being the most affected region. NGOs continue to fight against child labor, pushing for stronger laws and holding companies accountable.
