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Society

Child Labor in Morocco: 7,775,000 Children Aged 7-17 Affected in 2023

Wednesday 12 June 2024 - 10:20

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As the world observes the World Day Against Child Labor on June 12, 2024, Morocco takes stock of this concerning issue. In 2023, out of 7,775,000 children aged 7 to 17, 110,000 were engaged in economic activities, representing 1.4% of this age group. However, the phenomenon remains more prevalent in rural areas and predominantly affects boys, often leading to dropout from school. Despite a notable decline in the number of working children in recent years, the challenge persists, particularly in the agriculture and services sectors.

On June 12, 2024, the world, including Morocco, celebrates the World Day Against Child Labor. This occasion serves as an important opportunity to raise awareness about this alarming phenomenon, remind people of children's fundamental rights, and encourage collective efforts to end it. It urges governments, organizations, and citizens to take concrete steps to eradicate this unacceptable exploitation.

In 2023, among the 7,775,000 children aged 7 to 17, 110,000 were engaged in economic activities, representing 1.4% of this age group. This proportion is 2.8% in rural areas (88,000 children) and 0.5% in urban areas (22,000 children).

The phenomenon of working children is more prevalent among boys than girls and is often associated with dropping out of school. Indeed, 85.6% of working children are male, while 91.5% of them are between 15 and 17 years old. Furthermore, 79.9% of these children live in rural areas, where educational opportunities are often limited. In terms of schooling, only 8.6% of working children are still enrolled in school, while 89.1% have dropped out, and 2.3% have never attended.

Moreover, the number of working children continues its downward trend. Compared to 2022, this figure has decreased by 13.4%, and by 55.5% compared to 2017.

Furthermore, the phenomenon remains concentrated in certain economic sectors and differs according to the area of residence. In rural areas, 74.1% of children work in agriculture, forestry, and fishing. In urban areas, on the other hand, children are predominantly employed in services (51%) and industry (28.1%). This sectoral distribution highlights the different economic dynamics between rural and urban areas.

In rural areas, nearly six out of ten working children hold positions as family helpers (60.8%). In contrast, in urban areas, the majority of working children are employees (56.9%), while apprentices represent 28.6%, and family helpers account for 14%. This distribution sheds light on the different types of employment for children based on their environment.

However, nearly six out of ten working children (63.3%), or 69,000 children, perform hazardous work (0.9% of children in this age group). Among children engaged in hazardous forms of work, 74% reside in rural areas (91.2% male and 87.9% aged 15 to 17).

Children working in the construction sector remain the most vulnerable to dangers, representing 80.8% of cases. This proportion is slightly lower in industry (79.3%) and services (77.7%), while in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, it is 53%. Thus, these figures underscore the need for specific safety measures in each sector to protect children from the risks associated with their employment.

As Morocco commemorates the World Day Against Child Labor, the nation remains committed to addressing this complex issue through collaborative efforts, awareness campaigns, and targeted interventions to safeguard the rights and well-being of its children, ensuring they have access to education and a nurturing environment free from exploitation.