ILO–UNICEF report: 138 million children in child labour in 2024; 2025 elimination target missed
On 11 June 2025 in Geneva and New York, the ILO and UNICEF released 'Child Labour: Global estimates 2024, trends and the road forward', estimating nearly 138 million children in child labour in 2024.
Summary
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF released the report 'Child Labour: Global estimates 2024, trends and the road forward' on 11 June 2025, a day before the World Day Against Child Labour. Nearly 138 million children were in child labour in 2024, including around 54 million in hazardous work, and the world missed its target of eliminating child labour by 2025. Agriculture accounts for 61% of child labour, followed by services (27%) and industry (13%). Sub-Saharan Africa carries nearly two-thirds of all children in child labour, around 87 million. Child labour has almost halved since 2000, from 246 million to 138 million.
Key facts
- Report
- Child Labour: Global estimates 2024, trends and the road forward (ILO–UNICEF)
- 2024 estimate
- ~138 million; ~54 million in hazardous work
- By sector
- Agriculture 61%, services 27%, industry 13%
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa ~87 million (nearly two-thirds)
- Trend
- 246 million (2000) → 138 million
Practice MCQs 3 questions
According to the ILO–UNICEF report released on 11 June 2025, about how many children were in child labour in 2024?
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Correct answer: C — 138 million
ILO and UNICEF: nearly 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024, including around 54 million in hazardous work.
According to the ILO–UNICEF report of 11 June 2025, which sector accounts for the largest share of child labour?
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Correct answer: D — Agriculture
ILO: agriculture remains the largest sector for child labour, accounting for 61 per cent of all cases, followed by services (27 per cent) and industry (13 per cent).
Consider the following statements about the ILO–UNICEF child labour report released on 11 June 2025: 1. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for nearly two-thirds of all children in child labour. 2. The report says the world achieved the target of eliminating child labour by 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
ILO and UNICEF: Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for nearly two-thirds of all children in child labour (around 87 million), so 1 is correct; the world missed the target of eliminating child labour by 2025, so 2 is wrong. So the answer is 1 only.