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Child Labor, Urban Proximity, and Household Composition

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  • Marcel Fafchamps
  • Jackline Wahba
  • University of Southampton

Abstract

Using detailed survey data from Nepal, this paper examines the determinants of child labor with a special emphasis on urban proximity. We find that children residing in or near urban centers attend school more and work less in total but are more likely to be involved in wage work or in a small business. The larger the urban center, the stronger the effect is. Urban proximity is found to reduce the workload of children and improve school attendance up to 3 hours of travel time from the city. In areas of commercialized agriculture located 5 to 8 hours from the city, children do more farm work. Children unrelated or loosely related to the household head work more, especially in market work and household chores, and are less likely to attend school. This is especially true of child servants, a small group who appear particularly at risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcel Fafchamps & Jackline Wahba & University of Southampton, 2004. "Child Labor, Urban Proximity, and Household Composition," Economics Series Working Papers 213, University of Oxford, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:oxf:wpaper:213
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Child Labor; Geographical Isolation; Altruism; Education;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure

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