Hidden Child Labor: Determinants of Housework and Family Business Work of Children in 16 Developing Countries

Two forms of “hidden” child labor – housework and family business work – are studied for 178,000 children in 16 African and Asian countries. About 30% of African children and 11% of Asian children work over 15h a week in hidden child labor. Girls are more involved in housework and boys more in family business work, but this division is not strict. Most (80–90%) of variation is due to household factors. Children work less in urban, less traditional, and more educated areas. Gender differences are larger in Asia, probably due to a stricter form of patriarchy.