National Study: Child Labour in South Sudan (2025)

Child labour remains a critical concern in South Sudan, affecting approximately 34% of children aged 5–17, with many subjected to the worst forms of child labour (WFCL), including armed recruitment, sexual exploitation, hazardous work, and domestic servitude. This study, conducted under Save the Children’s Empowering Futures initiative with support from the European Union, presents the most comprehensive national assessment of WFCL to date. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research encompassed household surveys (n=418), key informant interviews (n=26), focus group discussions (n=9), structured workplace observations, and policy reviews across eight high-risk counties.

Results indicate a WFCL prevalence of 64.1%, with Kapoeta South, Yambio, and Magwi exhibiting the highest rates. Gender disparities are pronounced: boys are disproportionately engaged in hazardous and armed labour, while girls face elevated risks of domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and early marriage. Key drivers include poverty, food insecurity, school exclusion, harmful social norms, and debt bondage, while protective factors such as school attendance, caregiver education, and household food security mitigate risk. The study identifies significant gaps in legal and institutional frameworks, including weak enforcement and the absence of a national referral system. It calls for urgent legal harmonization, revitalized coordination mechanisms, expanded social protection, and gender-sensitive interventions. Addressing child labour in South Sudan demands a multi-sectoral strategy that integrates prevention, protection, and sustainable livelihoods to disrupt entrenched cycles of exploitation.