Child Labour and the Arrival of Refugees: Evidence from Tanzania

This study examines how the arrival of refugees from Rwanda and Burundi affected child labour rates in Tanzania's Kagera region. Initially, areas with more refugees had lower child labour rates, but after 10 years, children in these areas were more likely to work on farms and do domestic chores as agricultural labour demand increased. The research provides evidence of how large population movements can shift economic pressures that affect children's work patterns.

Key points

• About one in three children in Sub-Saharan Africa works
• Areas most affected by refugee influx initially had lower child labour incidence
• After 10 years, children in high-refugee areas were more likely to work on farms and do domestic chores
• Increased agricultural labour demand drove the rise in child labour over time

Limitations

The document does not specify whether the study controlled for other economic or social factors that may have changed over the 10-year period. It is unclear whether the findings apply to other regions or types of refugees.