SOCIOECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINANTS OF CHILD LABOUR ACROSS OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORIES: EVIDENCE FROM DISTRICT BHAKKAR, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study looks at the demographic factors linked to different types of child labour in District Bhakkar, Pakistan. Data was collected from 700 children aged 7 to 14 years who were working in both urban areas of the district. A structured questionnaire was used to gather cross-sectional data. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0. A multinomial logistic regression model was applied to explore how children’s job types relate to selected demographic traits. Auto shop employment such as mechanics, auto workshops and denting shops—was used as the reference category. The results show that family size, age, working hours, number of brothers number of sisters child’s income, residential area, holidays, access to help home ownership and father’s income are all statistically significant in relation to some occupational categories. Family size has an consistent effect across most types of child work. The number of brothers is particularly significant for children working in brick kilns, fruit trolleys and lube shops. Child’s income is also important in occupations except for needle work. Urban residence is strongly linked to brick kiln jobs and home maid work. Father’s income plays a role in fruit trolley, home maid and lube shop employment. On the hand gender and whether a child is currently enrolled in school do not show any significant connection, with the type of job they hold. These findings emphasize how household characteristics, economic conditions, working patterns and where a family lives shape the kind of work children take on in this area.