For the first time, particular emphasis will be placed on the role of development cooperation. While current data shows that boys outnumber girls who work by three to two, statistical surveys often underestimate the number of girls who work by failing to include unpaid economic activity in and around the house, including household enterprises. In absolute numbers, rural working children outnumber urban working children, while rural children are twice as likely to work as those in towns and cities. The vast majority of rural child workers are engaged in agriculture or similar activities. In contrast, urban children often work in trade, domestic, service and manufacturing sectors.
Many children work long hours for low pay.
In some countries, up to 80 percent of working children work seven days a week. Most children working as paid employees earn far less than adults, and the younger the child, the lower the wage. Girls, on average, earn less than boys even though they tend to work longer hours in the same jobs. Generally, children are not paid overtime, nor do they benefit from social security and other similar benefits. Most injuries and illnesses occur in the rural areas.