Child Labour in India: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Child Labour in India

This cross-sectional study examines child labour patterns across India using national data spanning nearly two decades. The research identifies both demand-side factors (segmented labour markets, low-wage employment) and supply-side factors (poverty) as drivers of child labour. The analysis shows that child labour incidence declined significantly from 6.5 million to 1.5 million children between 1993-94 and 2011-12, with male children consistently representing a larger proportion of child workers at the national level, though patterns vary considerably by state.

Key points

• Child labour incidence in India decreased substantially from 6.5 million (1993-94) to 1.5 million (2011-12)
• Poverty identified as a major supply-side contributor to child labour
• Demand-side factors include segmented labour markets seeking low-wage or specialized child workers
• Male child labourers outnumber female child labourers at the national level
• State-level variation exists in the gender distribution and patterns of child labour

Limitations

This is a descriptive cross-sectional analysis that documents patterns over time but does not establish causal relationships or explain the mechanisms behind the observed decline in child labour. The document does not provide details on intervention effectiveness or regional data breakdowns.