Child Labour and Schooling in Bangladesh: Insights from Data and Evidence

In the past two decades, Bangladesh experienced a substantial reduction in the prevalence of child labour, associated with improvements in school enrolment and completion. Despite progress, child labour persists in the country, also driven by household earning losses and school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This report addresses a timely need for new research to help decision-makers and practitioners identify policy and programmatic actions that can support prevention and reduction of child labour, with a focus on the role of education. Drawing on quantitative secondary data analysis and qualitative primary data analysis, it offers an accessible and rigorous overview of recent trends and patterns in child labour and explores how these relate to children's schooling experiences. Implications of COVID-19 for education and labour, and the role of child marriage as a key related outcome, are also assessed. The report concludes with programmatic and research recommendations for further action. [This report was prepared by the Economic Research Group (ERG).]