most contries, this practice is illgeal by law. But there are places where child labor is a source of workers.
Child labor is most concentrated in Asia and Africa, which together account for more than 90
percent of total child employment (see Table 1). Though there are more child workers in Asia than
anywhere else, a higher percentage of African children participate in the labor force (see Table 2).
Asia is led by India which has 44 million child laborers, giving it the largest child workforce in the
world. In Pakistan, 10 percent of all workers are between the ages of 10 and 14 years (Weiner
1991). Nigeria has 12 million child workers. Child labor is also common in South America. For
example, there are 7 million children working in Brazil (ILO 1992).
Distribution of Economically Active Children under 15 Years of Age
(percent of total world child labor)
Region: From 1980-1990
Africa: !980: 17% 1985: 18% 1990: 21%
Americas: 1985: 4.7% 1990: 5.6%
Asia: 1980: 77% 1985: 75% 1990: 72%
Europe: 1980: 0.3% 1985: 0.2% 1990: 0.1%
Source: ILO 1993.
Comparison of Labor Force Participation Rates of Children and Adults by Region
(percent)
Region 15 years and over 10-14 years
Africa: 15 years: 65.2% 10-14 years: 22.0%
Americas: 15 years: 61.8% 10-14 years: 7.9%
Asia: 15 years: 68.1% 10-14 years: 15.3%
Europe 15 years: 54.5% 10-14 years: 0.3%
Source: ILO 1993.