The latest joint report from UNICEF and the International Labour Organization (ILO), titled Child Labour: Global Estimates 2024, Trends and the Road Forward, released today, June 11, 2025, paints a sobering picture. Despite global efforts, 138 million children aged 5-17 remain engaged in child labour, with 54 million in hazardous work that jeopardizes their health and safety.
Key Findings of the 2025 Child Labour Report
The report highlights both progress and persistent challenges:
- Global Decline: The number of children in child labour dropped by 12 million, from 160 million in 2020 to 138 million in 2024.
- Regional Disparities: Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for two-thirds of child labour, with 87 million children affected. In contrast, Asia and the Pacific saw a 43% reduction since 2020.
- Sector Breakdown: Agriculture employs 70% of child labourers (97 million), followed by services (20%) and industry (10%).
- Education Crisis: 28% of children aged 5-11 and 35% of those aged 12-14 in child labour are out of school, perpetuating cycles of poverty.
- Gender Equality: Boys and girls are equally likely to be in child labour, though girls are more involved in unpaid household services.
Critical Insight: The report warns that the global target to eliminate child labour by 2025, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.7, will not be met without urgent, coordinated action.
Must Read: Child Labor in India: Progress, Challenges, and Rehabilitation in 2025
Challenges in Eradicating Child Labour
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated risks, with economic shocks and school closures pushing an estimated 9 million additional children into child labour by 2022. Funding shortages further threaten progress, limiting investments in education and social protection systems critical to breaking the cycle of poverty and exploitation.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the epicenter of the crisis, with child labour prevalence at 29%, compared to 5% in Latin America, the Middle East, and North Africa. Without targeted interventions, the region risks falling further behind.
Urgent Actions Needed
The UNICEF-ILO report calls for immediate steps to address child labour:
- Strengthen Education Systems: Ensure universal access to quality education to keep children out of work and in classrooms.
- Expand Social Protection: Implement inclusive social safety nets to support vulnerable families and reduce reliance on child labour.
- Enforce Legal Frameworks: Fully ratify and implement ILO Conventions No. 138 (Minimum Age) and No. 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour).
- Increase Funding: Boost global and regional investments in child protection, particularly in high-risk areas like Sub-Saharan Africa.
Must Read: The United Nations: Your Guide to Its Global Role
Why This Matters
Child labour robs millions of children of their childhood, education, and future opportunities. As the 2025 deadline for SDG 8.7 looms, the world must act swiftly to protect vulnerable children and uphold their rights. The Interview Times remains committed to shedding light on critical global issues like this one.
Read the Full UNICEF-ILO Report
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