MEDIA RELEASE                                                                                                                                                                         16 March 2017

                                       Survey of Activities of Young People, 2015

Of the 11,2 million South African children between ages of 7 and 17 years, 577 000 were involved in child labour* in 2015, down from 779 000 in 2010. About 81 000 of the children involved in child labour appeared to be doing work prohibited by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. The majority of the children involved in child labour were between the ages of 16 and 17 years. Children in KwaZulu-Natal (10,0%) were more likely to be involved in child labour compared to those from other provinces. Northern Cape (1,2%) had the least number of children who involved in child labour.

An overwhelming majority (98,4%) of children between the ages of 7 and 17 years were attending school. The presence of parents in the household was important for children to attend school, It was observed that in 2015 the proportion of children who did not attend school was higher among children with no parents alive (3,5%) and the lowest proportion of children not attending school was observed among children with both parents being household members (1,1%). Northern Cape and North West reported the highest proportions of children not attending school in 2015.

2,4 million of the 11,2 million children aged 7–17 years in South Africa were engaged in economic activities in 2015. Boys and girls aged 15–17 years were more likely to be involved in economic activities compared to those lower age groups.

In 2015, 34,2% of working children were exposed to at least one hazardous working condition. Boys (35,5%) were more likely to be exposed to hazardous conditions compared to girls (32, 9%).

Issued by Statistics South Africa

Notes to the editors:

Child labour is work undertaken by children under the age of 18 years that is exploitative, hazardous or otherwise inappropriate for their age, detrimental to their development.

For technical enquiries, contact:

Dr Kefiloe Masiteng

Deputy Director-General: Population and Social Statistics

Tel: 012 310 2109

Email: KefiloeM@statssa.gov.za

Mr Peter Buwembo

Chief Director: Labour Statistics

Tel:  012 310 8655

Email: PeterB@statssa.gov.za

For media enquires contact:

Ms Lesedi Dibakwane

Director: Media and Public Relations

Tel: 012 310 8578

Cell: 082 805 7088

Email: LesediD@statssa.gov.za