Child Labour Declines, Eradication Still Centuries Away

Despite significant progress, nearly 138 million children globally were engaged in child labour in 2024, with about 54 million in hazardous work. The UN's goal to eliminate child labour by 2025 has not been met, and experts warn that, at the current pace, full eradication could take hundreds of years. Agriculture is the largest sector, accounting for 61% of child labour, followed by services and industry. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected region, with Asia and Latin America also facing high prevalence. Survivor stories from India underscore both ongoing exploitation and the positive effects of rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Experts and agencies stress the need for greater investment in education, social protection, legal enforcement, and decent adult work to accelerate progress.