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Child labour in China

Author

Listed:
  • Tang, Can

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Zhao, Liqiu

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Zhao, Zhong

    (Renmin University of China)

Abstract

We present the first systematic study on child labour in China. Child labour is not a negligible social phenomenon in China; about 7.74% of children aged from 10 to 15 were working in 2010, and they worked for 6.75 hours per day on average, and spent 6.42 hours less per day on study than other children. About 90% of child labourers were still in school and combined economic activity with schooling. Our results show that child labour participation is positively associated with school dropout rate. A child living in a rural area is more likely to work. Compared with place of residence, the gender of a child is less important. The educational level of the household head and its interaction with the gender of the household head seem to be unimportant. However, household assets per capita and household involvement in non-agricultural activities are negatively related to the incidence of child labour. A child from a household with more adults is less likely to work. The prevalence of child labour in China exhibits significant regional variations. The child labour incidence is correlated with the development level of each region: the Western region has the highest percentage of child labour, followed by the Eastern and Central region.

Suggested Citation

  • Tang, Can & Zhao, Liqiu & Zhao, Zhong, 2016. "Child labour in China," MERIT Working Papers 2016-036, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2016036
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    Cited by:

    1. Wani Nelson Waru, 2020. "Impact of Trade Openness and Foreign Direct Investment on Child Labor; Evidence from Sub-Saharan African Countries," International Journal of Science and Business, IJSAB International, vol. 4(8), pages 127-145.
    2. Tang, Can & Zhao, Zhong, 2023. "Informal institution meets child development: Clan culture and child labor in China," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 277-294.
    3. Shuang Chen, 2020. "Parental Investment After the Birth of a Sibling: The Effect of Family Size in Low-Fertility China," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 57(6), pages 2085-2111, December.
    4. Faqin Lin, 2022. "Agriculture exports, child labor and youth education: Evidence from 68 developing countries," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 490-513, May.
    5. Xiaotuan Li & Panfei Yang & Yuntao Zou, 2023. "An Empirical Investigation of the “Mezzogiorno Trap” in China’s Agricultural Economy: Insights from Data Envelopment Analysis (2015–2021)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-30, September.
    6. Zhao, Liqui & Wang, Fei & Zhao, Zhong, 2016. "Trade liberalisation and child labour in China," MERIT Working Papers 2016-054, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    7. Mehdi Feizi & Saeed Malek Sadati & Mozhgan Asna-ashary, 2023. "Child Labor and Unemployment: a Tale of Two Associations in Urban and Rural Areas in Iran," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(3), pages 1297-1314, June.
    8. Lei, Lei, 2020. "Essays on labor and family economics in China," Other publications TiSEM 9fbaf9e2-3185-4750-a96d-f, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    9. Catherine Benoit Norris & Gregory A. Norris & Lina Azuero & John Pflueger, 2019. "Creating Social Handprints: Method and Case Study in the Electronic Computer Manufacturing Industry," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-15, November.
    10. Tang, Can & Zhao, Zhong, 2022. "Informal institution meets child development," MERIT Working Papers 2022-032, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    11. Tang, Can & Zhao, Liqiu & Zhao, Zhong, 2018. "Child labor in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 149-166.
    12. Lambon-Quayefio, Monica Puoma & Owoo, Nkechi S., 2021. "Investigating the long-term effects of child labor on household poverty and food insecurity in Ghana," Journal of Demographic Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 87(4), pages 561-587, December.
    13. Min Zhou & Xianyi Long & Kannan Govindan, 2024. "Unveiling the value of institutional pressure in socially sustainable supply chain management: The role of top management support for social initiatives and organisational culture," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 2629-2648, July.
    14. Can Tang & Liqiu Zhao & Zhong Zhao, 2019. "Free Education Helps Combat Child Labor? The Effect of a Free Compulsory Education Reform in Rural China," Working Papers 2019-036, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    15. Can Tang & Liqiu Zhao & Zhong Zhao, 2020. "Does free education help combat child labor? The effect of a free compulsory education reform in rural China," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 33(2), pages 601-631, April.
    16. Wang, Dongqin & Wang-Lu, Huaxin, 2025. "Land expropriation, child schooling, and child housework: Evidence from China," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    17. Feng, Jin & Xie, Qiang & Zhang, Xiaohan, 2021. "Trade liberalization and the health of working-age adults: Evidence from China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    18. Cui, Ying & Liu, Hong & Zhao, Liqiu, 2019. "Mother's education and child development: Evidence from the compulsory school reform in China," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 47(3), pages 669-692.
    19. Lin, Faqin & Long, Cheryl X., 2020. "The impact of globalization on youth education: Empirical evidence from China's WTO accession," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 820-839.
    20. Raiber, Eva, 2021. "Anticipated Children and Educational Investment: Evidence from the One-Child Policy in China," VfS Annual Conference 2021 (Virtual Conference): Climate Economics 242401, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    21. Zhao, Liqiu & Wang, Fei & Zhao, Zhong, 2021. "Trade liberalization and child labor," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J43 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Agricultural Labor Markets
    • J81 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Working Conditions
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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