It is recognized as a major social problem incompatible with the overall development of the children. This figure was even higher in 1981. School attendance among children is found to be low. Only one third of the children aged 6-9 years were attending school in 1991. The literacy rate among children aged 6-14 is as high as 63.2 per cent.
Agricultural sector is identified as the largest sector absorbing child labour in Nepal.
Children working in this sector are generally involved in collecting fodder and firewood, animal care, weeding, planting and harvesting. Children working in this sector generally work as unpaid family workers to provide help to their seniors in domestic and farm works. It is indicated that female children are more involved in such agricultural as well as other domestic works such as looking after siblings, fetching water, preparation of meals and other household related works. Children are also at work in service sectors especially in urban areas. Unlike the children working in agricultural sectors, children working in this sector are generally directly paid or can earn some money.