What Are Some Child Labor Facts?
There are numerous organizations who study child labor facts and report their findings. Here are some key facts:
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines child labor as, “work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development.”1
- Around the world, 152 million children are involved in forced child labor.2
- If you were to take the 218 million child laborers in the world and make them into a country of their own, it would constitute the fifth largest country in the world.3 Countries with the most child labor include Somalia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Liberia, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad and Bangladesh.4
- The continent of Africa contains 20% of the world’s child laborers. Asia comes in next at 7 percent.5
- ILO Director-General Guy Ryder spoke about the dangerous working conditions facing many children in child labor: “Honestly, the annual toll is appalling—2.78 million work-related deaths, 374 million injuries and illnesses. If these were the victims of a war, we would be talking a lot about it. Children and young workers are at greater risk and suffer disproportionately and with longer lasting consequences.”6
One organization seeking to be part of the solution to end child labor is GFA World. GFA World has served in Asia since 1979, bringing hope and positive solutions to the region. Through practical solutions such as income-generating gifts, clean water wells, child sponsorship, disaster relief and skills training, GFA World has seen communities transformed with Christ’s love. When families receive help, they are less likely to send their children to work. They begin to understand that education is important for them to break the cycle of poverty. Partner with GFA World today.
Learn more about child labor definition1 “What is Child Labour.” International Labour Organization. Accessed 2 February 2022. https://www.ilo.org/ipec/facts/lang–en/index.htm.
2 “Countries in the world by population.” Worldometers. June 2019. http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/population-by-country/.
3 Maki, Reid. “10 Basic Facts about Child Labor Globally.” Child Labor Coalition. July 16, 2018. http://stopchildlabor.org/?p=4504. http://stopchildlabor.org/?p=4504.
4 Sen Nag, Oishimaya. “Worst Countries for Child Labor.” World Atlas. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/worst-countries-for-child-labor.html.
5 “Global Estimates of Child Labour: Results and Trends 2012-2016.” International Labour Office. 2017. https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—dgreports/—dcomm/documents/publication/wcms_575499.pdf.
6 Schein, Lisa. “Half the World’s 152 Million Child Laborers Do Hazardous Work.” Voice of America. June 10, 2018. https://www.voanews.com/a/half-the-world-s-152-million-child-laborers-do-hazardous-work/4432362.html.
7 Schein, Lisa. “Half the World’s 152 Million Child Laborers Do Hazardous Work.” Voice of America. June 10, 2018. https://www.voanews.com/a/half-the-world-s-152-million-child-laborers-do-hazardous-work/4432362.html.