Child Labor in the 10 Provinces with the Highest Rates in 2020

Indonesia has a relatively high number of child workers. Even on National Children's Day, several provinces still report high numbers of working children.

Children up to the age of 19 have the right to attend school and receive education up to the Senior High School (SMA) level or its equivalent. However, many are forced to work to help their parents or meet their own needs.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that Southeast Sulawesi has the highest percentage of child workers in Indonesia, reaching 8.05% in 2020. This figure is up from 5.26% the previous year. West Nusa Tenggara follows with 6.55%, also an increase from 4.08% the previous year. North Sumatra is third, with 6.39%, up from 4.01% the previous year.

BPS recorded a rise in the percentage of children aged 10-17 working (child labor) in 2020, increasing to 3.25% from 2.35% the previous year. The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in early 2020, appears to have contributed to this increase in child labor.

(read: KPAI: Majority of Victims of Child Exploitation and Trafficking Are Still Attending School)