Millions of Pakistani Children Remain Out of School as Child Labour Persists

Islamabad: (Web Desk) – Pakistan continues to face a major challenge in ensuring education and protection for its children, as millions remain out of school while many are engaged in child labour.

According to UNICEF, approximately 25.1 million children aged 5 to 16 years are out of school, making Pakistan one of the countries with the highest number of out-of-school children in the world. This means that more than one-third of school-age children are not receiving formal education.

Recent figures released by the International Labour Organization (ILO) show that 8.6 million children between the ages of 5 and 17 are involved in child labour across Pakistan. The majority of these children work in rural areas, particularly in agriculture, domestic work, brick kilns, workshops, and other informal sectors. Around 88 percent of child labour cases are concentrated in rural communities.

Child rights experts warn that poverty, inflation, lack of access to schools, and social inequalities are forcing many families to choose work over education for their children. As a result, thousands of children spend their days working instead of attending classrooms.

A recently launched national report further revealed that more than 6.6 million children are engaged in hazardous labour, exposing them to serious risks to their health, safety, and future development.

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Education advocates are urging the government to increase investment in schools, strengthen social protection programs, and strictly enforce child labour laws. International organizations emphasize that providing quality education and economic support to vulnerable families is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty and child labour.

As Pakistan works toward achieving its development goals, experts stress that ensuring every child is in school—not at work—remains one of the country’s most urgent priorities.