ILO Reports Decline in Number of Child Labourers

Asia-Pacific Has Greatest Decline But Largest Numbers

A new International Labour Organisation (ILO) report states that since 2000 the global number of child labourers has declined by one-third.In the period 2008-2012, the global number of child labourers fell from to 215 to 168 million with the largest decline occurring in the Asia-Pacific region.  However this region still has more child labourers than any other region.

The report, Marking Progress Against Child Labour:  Global Estimates 2000-2012, indicates that almost 11% of children are still in child labour.  while the progress made is something to be celebrated the report also cautions that the 2016 target set by the international community for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour will not be met.

“We are moving in the right direction but progress is still too slow. If we are serious about ending the scourge of child labour in the foreseeable future, then we need a substantial stepping-up of efforts at all levels. There are 168 million good reasons to do so,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.

Download a copy of the report here.