The Work
WORLD REPORT ON CHILD LABOUR
Economic vulnerability, social protection and the fight against child labour
World Report on Child Labour
Economic vulnerability, social protection and the fight against child labour
International Labour Office · Geneva
Executive summary
Between 2000 and 2008 the number of child labourers worldwide fell by some 30 million. Notwithstanding this progress, at the end of that period there were still over 215 million child labourers, and over half of them were doing hazardous work. Moreover, the overall downward trend masked rising numbers of children in economic activity in sub-Saharan Africa from 2004 to 2008 (ILO, 2010d). While these numbers underscore the magnitude of the remaining challenge facing the global community, they also convey a clear message of hope – progress against child labour is possible with sound policy choices and substantial national and international commitment. Yet 2008, the reference year for the last ILO global child labour estimates, already seems a long time ago.1 Since then the world has seen an economic crisis widely viewed as the most severe since the Second World War, ushering in a period of prolonged economic uncertainty and slow growth. Although the crisis originated in the financial markets of industrialized countries, globalization has seen its effects spread to the developing world. Social consequences have varied widely from country to country, but everywhere poor and vulnerable populations have borne the brunt of the crisis and its aftermath. What can be done under these more difficult circumstances to ensure more – and faster – progress in tackling child labour? And how can policies to reduce child labour fit within a broader framework aimed at improving the quality of life and ensuring decent work for those at greatest risk from economic hardship? These are among the policy challenges that this World Report on Child Labour addresses. In doing so, we bring together two developmental
Economic vulnerability, social protection and the fight against child labour
World Report on Child Labour
Economic vulnerability, social protection and the fight against child labour
International Labour Office · Geneva
Executive summary
Between 2000 and 2008 the number of child labourers worldwide fell by some 30 million. Notwithstanding this progress, at the end of that period there were still over 215 million child labourers, and over half of them were doing hazardous work. Moreover, the overall downward trend masked rising numbers of children in economic activity in sub-Saharan Africa from 2004 to 2008 (ILO, 2010d). While these numbers underscore the magnitude of the remaining challenge facing the global community, they also convey a clear message of hope – progress against child labour is possible with sound policy choices and substantial national and international commitment. Yet 2008, the reference year for the last ILO global child labour estimates, already seems a long time ago.1 Since then the world has seen an economic crisis widely viewed as the most severe since the Second World War, ushering in a period of prolonged economic uncertainty and slow growth. Although the crisis originated in the financial markets of industrialized countries, globalization has seen its effects spread to the developing world. Social consequences have varied widely from country to country, but everywhere poor and vulnerable populations have borne the brunt of the crisis and its aftermath. What can be done under these more difficult circumstances to ensure more – and faster – progress in tackling child labour? And how can policies to reduce child labour fit within a broader framework aimed at improving the quality of life and ensuring decent work for those at greatest risk from economic hardship? These are among the policy challenges that this World Report on Child Labour addresses. In doing so, we bring together two developmental