World · Latin America · 7 hrs ago
Child labor affects 3.5 million children in Mexico
Mexico’s 2025 survey counted 3.5 million children and adolescents in child labor, or 12.6% of those aged 5 to 17.
The figure includes children below the legal working age, teenagers doing dangerous work and children whose household chores are excessive or unsafe.
About 1 million children were in dangerous jobs, including work in farming, construction and industry.
The survey found higher rates among boys, Indigenous children and those in less urbanized areas; child labor was also far more common among children not attending school.
The total fell from 3.7 million in 2022, but was only slightly below the 3.6 million recorded in 2015.
Work that disrupts school can limit children’s education and future opportunities.
The survey shows the problem remains widespread; the sources do not say what steps will follow.
A 2025 survey found that child labor affected 3.5 million children and adolescents in Mexico, or 12.6% of those aged five to 17.
The survey counted children below the legal working age, adolescents in hazardous jobs and children doing domestic work under unsuitable conditions.
About one million children were in dangerous work, according to El País English.
The sources differ on the number doing work not permitted for their age: El País English reports 1.6 million, while Expansión MX reports 1.8 million.
The survey found higher rates among boys, Indigenous children, children outside school and those in less urbanized areas.
- Who
- 3.5 million children and adolescents in Mexico aged five to 17.
- What
- They were affected by child labor, including work not permitted for their age and unsuitable domestic work.
- When
- The 2025 National Survey of Child Labor was presented in October 2026.
- Where
- Mexico.
- Why
- The survey figures highlight economic hardship faced by many households; reported reasons for working included helping family, paying school costs and covering personal expenses.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The number of children engaged in child labor was 3.6 million.
The survey counted 3.7 million children affected by child labor, the highest level reported.
The survey found 3.5 million children affected, equal to 12.6% of those aged five to 17.
The survey findings were presented, according to El País English.
- Children affected
- 3.5 million
- Share of children aged five to 17
- 12.6%
- Children in dangerous work
- About 1 million
- Highest-prevalence state
- Guerrero
- Indigenous children and adolescents affected
- 25%
- Non-permitted occupations
- 1.6 million in El País English; 1.8 million in Expansión MX
3 sources
What people are saying
For example, a child might be a helper in a family-run eatery, but if they enter the kitchen and are exposed to fire, other hazards and long hours, that counts in the statistics.
When work interferes with school attendance, it’s not just the present that’s at stake — it can also jeopardize future opportunities.