152 million child labor victims worldwide

Child labour victims number an estimated 152 million, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), 73 million of whom work in hazardous conditions.

China, India and Bangladesh among otherwise thriving countries failing to make headway on issue affecting 152 million minors 

Despite high economic growth and big improvements in education and development, countries such as China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Cambodia have made little progress in tackling child labour.

Researchers ranked 198 countries based on their laws and adoption of international treaties, the ability and will to enforce them, and the frequency and severity of violations.

The five highest-risk countries were North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Eritrea, and Central African Republic.

The researchers also highlighted a rapidly escalating risk of child labour in Venezuela as a result of the country’s economic and political crisis. Venezuela has fallen 80 places in the index since 2016, and now ranks seventh.

Globally, 27 countries – with a total collective population of 900 million people – were ranked as having an “extreme risk” of child labour. A further 82 countries were categorised as “high risk” in the index, including China (ranked 98th) and India (47th).

Agriculture, manufacturing, apparel, construction, mining and hospitality all pose high levels of risk in both India and China, according to the study. Researchers also raised concern over the trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children.

East Africa has five of the 10 highest risk countries globally, making it the region where children are most vulnerable, while 16 of the 27 “extreme risk” countries are in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the report.

The researchers also highlighted a rapidly escalating risk of child labour in Venezuela as a result of the country’s economic and political crisis. Venezuela has fallen 80 places in the index since 2016, and now ranks seventh.

Globally, 27 countries – with a total collective population of 900 million people – were ranked as having an “extreme risk” of child labour. A further 82 countries were categorised as “high risk” in the index, including China (ranked 98th) and India (47th).

Agriculture, manufacturing, apparel, construction, mining and hospitality all pose high levels of risk in both India and China, according to the study. Researchers also raised concern over the trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children.

East Africa has five of the 10 highest risk countries globally, making it the region where children are most vulnerable, while 16 of the 27 “extreme risk” countries are in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the report.