A new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) reveals that approximately 138 million children were engaged in child labor in 2024, with around 54 million involved in hazardous work that threatens their health and safety. This marks a significant reduction of over 20 million children since 2020, following a troubling increase between 2016 and 2020.

Despite this progress, the report highlights that the global community has not met its target to eliminate child labor by February 2025. The findings emphasize that millions of children are still deprived of their fundamental rights to education, play, and a carefree childhood. Agriculture remains the predominant sector for child labor, accounting for 61% of all cases, followed by services such as domestic work and market sales, as well as industries like mining and manufacturing.

The release of this report coincides with the International Day of Play, which encourages governments, businesses, schools, and families to prioritize play in children's lives. The theme for this year, "Choose Play Every Day," serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering environments where children can thrive and enjoy their childhood.

As the world grapples with these challenges, the report calls for renewed efforts to protect children's rights and ensure they can grow up in safe and nurturing conditions.