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Global Child Labor Drops to 138 Million as Funding Cuts and US Violations Threaten Progress

Donor budget cuts threaten to reverse recent gains in child protection after US law violations surged

A UNICEF logo is pictured outside their offices in Geneva, Switzerland, January 30, 2017. Picture taken January 30, 2017. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/ File Photo
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Overview

  • The number of global child laborers fell to 138 million in 2025 from 160 million in 2021, according to ILO and UNICEF.
  • Some 54 million children remain in hazardous work that poses serious risks to their health and development.
  • Child labor law breaches in the United States rose 31% between 2019 and 2024, with many violations occurring in agriculture.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for about two-thirds of all child labor cases, and agriculture is the leading sector for minor labor worldwide.
  • Cuts in donor funding risk reversing progress by curtailing education and social support measures that keep children out of work.