Global child labour: Millions exploited worldwide
Global Child Labour Joint Report of 2025 by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) affirms that almost 138 million children globally are victims of forced labour.
Of these, 54 million are doing life-threatening work; some of them are under 12 years old, and they are handling chemicals and using dangerous tools in harsh conditions.
Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected area, with 87 million child labourers, or almost two-thirds of the world's total.
Children in war zones are 21% more likely to end up working than kids who live in other places.
According to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Target 8.7, UN member states pledged in 2025 to end child labour by 2025.
UNICEF reports that 59% of working children do not attend school, and 71% of children in Asia-Pacific experience complete school exclusion.
The African Union's plan to eliminate child labour by 2030 provides a roadmap for the entire continent, aligning with Agenda 2063.
However, progress is still uneven, and UNICEF is demanding free, high-quality education, stricter enforcement of labour laws, and more investment in education and child protection in rural areas.
UNICEF's Regional Child Protection Advisor for East and Southern Africa, Nankali Maksud, highlights both challenges and progress.
Children's labour is common in informal agriculture, domestic work, and street vending. Poverty is one of the key drivers, often forcing children to contribute to household income when families can't afford basic needs.
South Africa has made commendable efforts through legislation, education, and social grants, all components which lead to the reduction of child labour.
However, not only in South Africa but also throughout sub-Saharan Africa, more focused action is required.
In its 2024-2025 Global Education Monitoring Report, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) reports that 251 million children globally are still not attending school, a 1% decrease since 2015.
Director-General Audrey Azoulay points out that by the time they are ten years old, three out of four children in developing nations are illiterate.
She advocates for community-led, inclusive leadership in education, addressing gender disparities and assisting school administrators.
According to the report, collaborative models that help keep kids in school and enhance learning outcomes should replace strict hierarchies.
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