Children Employment Around The World
Reducing Child Employment (Ages 7-14)
- Problem: Child Labor in Employment
In many countries, children between the ages of (7 and 14) are involved in employment instead of going to school. This issue hinders their education, development, and future opportunities. Child labor often results from poverty, lack of access to quality education, and weak labor laws.
- Problem Evidence: The Reality of Child Labor
- When looking to global reports, a huge percentage of children in this age group work in agriculture, manufacturing, and informal sectors.
- Many children are forced to work in hazardous conditions that impact their physical and mental well-being.
- People are neglecting education, leading to a cycle of poverty where children grow up without proper qualifications for better jobs.
- Potential Solution: Strengthening Education and Social Protection
To decrease the percentage of child labor, comprehensive interventions are needed, including access to education, economic support for families, and stricter child labor regulations.
- Solution Details
- Legal Reforms & Enforcement: The Governments must implement and put a pressure to prevent exploitation of child labor.
- Free and Accessible Education: Providing free schooling, transportation, meals, and supplies can encourage families to convince their children to send them to school instead of work.
- Financial Support for Families: Economic aid programs, such as conditional cash transfers, can lessen the need for child labor in families.
- Community Awareness Programs: Long-term education of communities that benefits from education and the risks of child labor that can shift social norms.
- Corporate Responsibility: Businesses must ensure ethical supply chains, preventing child labor in industries such as manufacturing and agriculture.
- Solution Evidence
- Countries that have strengthened child labor laws and invested in education (e.g., Brazil, India) have seen significant reductions in child employment rates.
- The Bolsa Família program in Brazil successfully reduced child labor by providing financial aid to families on the condition that children attend school.
- Studies indicate that when families receive financial assistance, they are less likely to send their children to work.
- UNICEF and ILO report that improving education infrastructure directly correlates with decreased child employment.
- Recommendation
I can recommend that governments, NGOs, businesses, and communities must collaborate to eliminate child labor. Policies should focus on:
- Enforcing and strengthening child labor laws.
- Expanding free and quality education opportunities.
- Providing financial support to families.
- Raising awareness about the negative impact of child labor between families.
- Checking on companies accountable for ethical labor practices.
By implementing these solutions, we can ensure that children have the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a brighter future.
The Effect of Education on GNI Per Capita in Rwanda
For years, Rwanda faced the challenge of low economic growth, struggling as a low-income nation. One of the primary obstacles holding back progress was limited access to quality education. Without proper schooling, the workforce lacked the skills necessary to drive economic expansion, leaving the country in a cycle of slow development and limited opportunities.
In the mid-2000s, Rwanda made a bold decision to prioritize education. School enrollment rates surged as the government introduced policies to increase accessibility and improve quality. More schools were built, teachers were better trained, and initiatives like free primary education ensured that more children, especially in rural areas, had access to learning. The investment wasn’t just in basic education—vocational training programs and skill-based learning were also emphasized to align with the demands of the evolving job market.
The impact of this shift soon became evident. Data from the World Development Index shows a steady increase in school enrollment starting in 2007, and in the following years, Rwanda’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita also began to rise. Alongside this, Rwanda’s literacy rate improved significantly, indicating that more individuals were gaining essential reading and writing skills. This increase in literacy directly contributed to economic progress, as a more skilled workforce led to greater productivity, higher wages, and new opportunities for economic participation. While Rwanda still lags behind middle-income countries, its upward trajectory signals promising long-term growth potential.
This transformation highlights the power of education in driving economic mobility. However, investment in schools alone is not enough—there must be a corresponding increase in job opportunities to absorb the growing number of educated individuals. Continuous monitoring of educational outcomes and labor market trends will be essential to sustaining this progress. Looking ahead, expanding access to higher education and specialized training will be critical in propelling Rwanda toward even greater economic stability.
By prioritizing education, Rwanda has laid a strong foundation for its future. The path forward requires ongoing efforts, but the country’s experience serves as a compelling case study on how knowledge and learning can reshape an economy, proving that investing in human capital is one of the most effective ways to drive national prosperity.
The Powerful Link Between CO2 Emissions, Mortality Rates, Clean Fuel Access, and Women’s Empowerment
In today’s world, the intersection of environmental health and economic development is more crucial than ever. A deep dive into global data reveals a powerful link between CO2 emissions, mortality rates, access to clean fuels and technologies, and women’s empowerment. These factors work together in influencing health outcomes and shaping sustainable futures for communities across different regions.
Exploring the Data: The Link Between CO2 Emissions and Mortality Rates
The graphs shown in the dashboard above illustrate how CO2 emissions are closely tied to mortality rates. Regions with higher CO2 emissions tend to experience higher mortality rates, primarily due to poor air quality and the associated health risks. For example, the Least developed countries, East Asia & Pacific, and the Middle East & North Africa show the highest levels of CO2 emissions, correlating with elevated mortality rates. This data raises a critical question: How can we reduce CO2 emissions to save lives?
Access to Clean Fuels and Technology: A Game Changer
Another significant factor in improving mortality rates is access to clean fuels and technologies. In regions where there is greater access to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, the mortality rates tend to be lower. This is because cleaner energy options reduce harmful emissions and promote healthier environments. As seen in the chart, Australia and North America have made strides in improving access to cleaner energy, which contributes to healthier populations.
Women’s Empowerment: A Hidden Key to Progress
Perhaps the most surprising link in this data is the relationship between women’s empowerment, business & law index scores, and environmental outcomes. The graph shows that some regions where women have more opportunities in business and law tend to have lower CO2 emissions. This suggests that when women are empowered to make decisions in the business and policy sectors, it can lead to better environmental policies and practices, ultimately reducing CO2 emissions and improving public health. The data indicates that empowering women is not just a moral imperative but an essential component of tackling climate change and improving health outcomes.
Conclusion:
These findings are clear: reducing CO2 emissions, increasing access to clean energy, and empowering women are not isolated goals—they are interconnected. By addressing these issues together, we can create a more sustainable and healthier world for everyone. The data shown in the charts serves as a wake-up call to policymakers and business leaders that creating a cleaner, more equitable future is not only necessary but possible.
NB: To explore the latest updates on indicators, click on them to access the WHO indicators main page for detailed insights.
Wealth and Health: The Economic Factors behind life expectancy and mortality in the GCC and Levant Countries
Health improvement is an objective of all economic-level countries to increase the well-being of populations and reduce mortality. A key indicator of population health is life expectancy at birth which offers a clear picture of how effective health interventions work and reflects the quality of life in a society. As healthcare innovations continue to progress, people are living longer, but not everyone benefits equally; health disparities are critical, especially in developing regions. In this context, we will examine the relationship between economic factors, such as GDP per capita and social contributions, and health outcomes in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Levant countries. We will explore how economic growth affects life expectancy as well as mortality rates to find effective public health strategies in these regions.
Economic Disparities and Health Challenges in the GCC and Levant
The connection between economic prosperity and health outcomes is evident in the GCC and Levant regions, but countries with lower economic standing face more significant challenges. Qatar, with the highest estimated per capita income at $69,034 by 2057, could benefit from better healthcare, longer life expectancy, and overall improved health. On the other hand, the majority of Levant countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, struggle because of limited economic resources. While Oman is a GCC country, it also faces economic constraints that impact health financing. By 2065, all these countries are expected to have some of the lowest GDP per capita and net income levels, which will directly affect their healthcare systems and public health outcomes.
The primary issue in these lower-income countries is the insufficient health expenditure, which limits the development of healthcare resources and infrastructure and result in poor health outcomes like higher mortality rates and lower life expectancy. Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria are known for having the lowest health expenditures in the region, with Oman’s spending relatively lower than wealthier Gulf countries like Qatar and the UAE. This creates a vicious cycle and consequences are unavoidably negative: limited funding results in fewer healthcare resources, which in turn leads to poor health outcomes. Countries with high mortality rates, like Syria, Oman, Lebanon, and Jordan, are therefore, resulting in health disparities.
These countries also have difficulty controlling social determinants of health, like education, income inequality, and access to basic services. They will continue to have disparities in health outcomes compared to their prosperous neighbors in the GCC unless a holistic solution is found. Mortality rates in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan are high as they are struggling with the worst figures in the region. Additionally, life expectancy is lower in Levant Countries and Oman. Economic limitations are thus restricting health improvements and contributing to these disparities.
A Multifaceted Approach to Health Improvement
The current situation in these nations presents a challenge and an opportunity to develop strategies that tackle the root causes of poor health outcomes. A multifaceted approach should be implemented to overcome economic and healthcare system limitations.
- Increased Health Expenditure: The most urgent step is to increase public health funding, as healthcare is critical for the Levant countries. This sector should become a part of the principal national budget. Innovative financing projects like collaborations or expansions of public and private health insurance should be considered, and funds from other sectors should be used differently. For example, the Quality of Life Programme in Saudi Arabia, which is in line with Vision 2030, aims to improve well-being and increase life expectancy to 80 years by that year. Public health is also given top priority in the UAE’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, which encourages physical activity and healthy lifestyles while guaranteeing that the elderly population has access to better medical care.
- Economic Diversification: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Oman can work toward economic diversification to generate more tax revenue, which, in turn, could be reinvested into the healthcare system. Take the example of the partnership between Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park (SRTIP) and Deep Knowledge Analytics. They invest in biotech, pharmaceutical, and AI-driven healthcare sectors to stimulate economic growth while improving healthcare accessibility.
- International Support and Partnerships: Levant countries also have the option to look for international collaborations, foreign aid, and grants to enhance their healthcare systems. Countries like Germany, which contributes the most to social contributions, have strong social safety nets. Utilizing these international resources can help in closing the economic gap between more developed and less developed countries. In the UAE, there is the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center (ADSCC) and the Omics Centre of Excellence, that can help Levant countries by dealing with health challenges like chronic diseases and facilitating knowledge transfer, and healthcare innovation.
- Focus on Preventive Care: A shift toward preventive healthcare, including public health campaigns, immunization programs, and lifestyle changes, is essential. Currently, GCC countries focus on longevity programs that deal with critical lifestyle factors affecting health outcomes, such as diet, physical activity, and nicotine use. Initiatives such as displaying calorie counts on restaurant menus, imposing sugar taxes on sweet drinks, and launching educational programs that promote healthy eating and active living could be implemented in Levant countries, hence reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
- Social Determinants of Health: Prioritizing education, fair income distribution, and access to sanitary facilities and clear water are all critical for improved health. Better health outcomes and an overall higher quality of life will result from this.
In conclusion, there is a strong correlation between health disparities between GCC and Levant countries and economic factors such as GDP per capita, income inequality, and healthcare expenditures. Many Levant countries still have low incomes and insufficient healthcare investment, but GCC countries, especially Qatar, have high-income levels and better healthcare outcomes. Therefore, some recommendations are related to economic diversification, and social determinants improvement to break the cycle of poor health outcomes and reduce the mortality gap. These actions can maximize life expectancy and build a healthier future for the entire region.
References
Wirayuda, A. A. B., Al-Mahrezi, A., Al-Azri, M., & Chan, M. F. (2025, January 15). Comparison of life expectancy determinants among Gulf Cooperation Council members – BMC public health. BioMed Central https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-025-21296-4
Comprehensive Stem Cell Services at ADSCC in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center. (2024, October 10). https://adscc.ae/stem-cell-services/
Srtip. (2024, September 10). Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park showcases innovations in vertical farming at the global vertical farming show 2024. Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park Showcases Innovations in Vertical Farming at the Global Vertical Farming Show 2024. https://blog.srtip.ae/srtip-showcases-innovations