Drivers of Child Labour: Socio-Economic Insights from the 15 Worst-Affected Countries

Abstract

Child labour remains a significant global challenge, particularly in low-income countries where socio-economic factors such as health, education, economic wealth, and globalisation play pivotal roles. This study investigates the interplay of these determinants in the 15 worst-affected countries, offering a nuanced understanding of the drivers of child labour. A secondary data analysis was conducted using panel data from 2010 to 2021 for the 15 countries with the highest child labour prevalence. The study employed Polynomial Simple Linear Regression to explore the relationships between child labour and key socio-economic variables: education, health, economic wealth, and globalisation. Descriptive statistics, scatter plots, and thematic maps were utilised to visualise trends and associations. The analysis revealed complex, non-linear relationships between socio-economic variables and child labour. Education and health demonstrated dual impacts, where improvements sometimes paradoxically increased child labour due to economic and cultural factors. Economic wealth reduced child labour in some contexts but exacerbated it in others, driven by unequal wealth distribution. Globalisation similarly showed mixed effects, depending on local regulatory and socio-economic conditions. Addressing child labour requires context-specific interventions. Education and healthcare investments must be paired with policies that tackle structural inequalities and ensure equitable economic wealth. Globalisation’s potential benefits in reducing child labour depend on robust regulatory frameworks and inclusive economic strategies.