Peer-reviewed article

Parental education and child labour: evidence from Pakistan

Malik Muhammad, Nasim Shah Shirazi, Zafar Kayani · 1 Jan 2024

Abstract

Child labour deprives children of their right to education, resulting in a lack of skills, human capital, and a reduction in future earnings. This study provides a better understanding of child labour by examining its relationship with socio-economic factors. Using PSLM 2019-2020 data, logit estimates show that an increase in the parental level of education reduces the chance of child labour. The well-being measured by the wealth index shows that children from wealthy households are less likely to work. Furthermore, the fathers' employment substitutes, while mothers' employment complements children's work. Girls are less likely to involve in child labour than boys. However, this may be interpreted carefully as girls are primarily engaged in household chores that are not reported. Finally, children from rural areas are more likely to do work than children from urban areas. Similarly, children from Balochistan have a greater chance of child labour than Sindh, Punjab, and KPK.