Some Facts….

•Estimated number of child labourers: 246 million

Electroplate
•Under the age of 10: 73 million worker, India    
1993
•Annual Deaths: 22 000
• Estimated number in ‘worst
forms’: 8.4 million
(2004)

Can this be positive for economic

development?
 Child Labour is a NEGATIVE
force for economic development

Blacksmith
apprentice,
Afghanistan 2002
 Economic Development:
• Increased availability of
food, shelter and clothing
• Higher incomes, better
education, better attention
to human values
• People and nations free
from servitude, the forces
of ignorance and human
misery

Metal worker, Morocco     1997

Some More Facts…
• Children is not as productive as adults

• Negative relationship between income and

child labour

Shepherd, Bolivia
 Labour Supply
L S1 L S2
Wage

WA

W CL

Labour Coal collecting, Afghanistan 2002

LA LCL DL

•Children in labour force keep wages low

•Children out of the labour force increases wages

 Human Capital
Low Level
Take off
Development
Trap
Low Level Trap
Human Capital

•Child labour perpetuates poverty

and hinders development
•Investment in human capital
Brick worker, Nepal      1995
perpetuates long term sustainable
development
 ConclusionConstruction Workers,
India
Low Skill
Adults
No
Need
income from investment
Child labor in Education

Vicious Cycle
of Child Labor
Perpetuates
Poverty
Low Skill
No Adults
investment Need
in Education income from
Children
 Thank you.

Garbage picker, Mexico     1996