The findings of the 2026 Gambia Labour Force Survey should serve as a wake-up call for the nation. While The Gambia has made measurable progress in reducing child labour, the reality that more than 108,000 children between the ages of five and 17 are still engaged in work is unacceptable. Behind every statistic is a child whose education, health and future opportunities are at risk.
The survey offers a mixed picture. On the positive side, the prevalence of child labour has declined under the Sustainable Development Goal indicator from 9.0 per cent in 2023 to 7.4 per cent in 2026. This demonstrates that efforts by government, development partners and civil society are yielding results. However, progress should not breed complacency. More than one in every eight Gambian children is still involved in child labour, with many performing hazardous work.
The rural-urban divide revealed in the survey deserves urgent attention. Nearly one in five children in rural communities is engaged in child labour, compared with fewer than one in 10 in urban areas. The high rates recorded in Kuntaur, Mansakonko and Janjanbureh point to deep-rooted socio-economic challenges, including poverty, limited educational opportunities and dependence on subsistence agriculture.
Agriculture remains the sector where most child labour occurs. While children helping their families with light household or farm chores may be part of traditional life, there is a clear line between age-appropriate responsibilities and work that deprives children of schooling or exposes them to dangerous conditions. That line must never be crossed.
The survey’s findings also remind policymakers that combating child labour cannot be separated from broader development goals. Reducing poverty, improving rural livelihoods, expanding access to quality education and strengthening social protection are among the most effective ways to keep children in school and out of the workforce. Enforcement of child protection and labour laws must also be strengthened to ensure that children are protected from exploitation.
Equally encouraging is the reported increase in labour force participation among persons with disabilities. Yet the persistent gap between persons with and without disabilities, particularly among women with disabilities, highlights the need for more inclusive employment policies and targeted support.
The Gambia has committed itself to eliminating child labour in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Achieving that objective will require sustained political commitment, adequate investment and collective action from government, employers, communities, parents and development partners.
Every Gambian child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and realise their full potential. Protecting children from labour is not merely a legal obligation—it is a moral imperative and an investment in the country’s future. The latest survey provides both encouragement and a clear reminder that much work remains to be done.