While this figure might seem small, it reflects a significant violation of children's rights. This issue must be urgently addressed, as children are crucial human resources essential for achieving developmental success, including realizing Indonesia’s Vision 2045.

According to the National Labor Force Survey (Sakernas) conducted by BPS in August 2023, child labor was widespread across all provinces. The provinces with the highest percentages of child labor were West Sulawesi, Gorontalo, and East Nusa Tenggara, where approximately 4 out of 10 children were engaged in work. These children worked at an age when they should be focusing on their education and play.

This reality underscores the urgent need for more serious government intervention to address this issue.

Regionally, 56.48 percent of child laborers reside in rural areas, where access to education and economic opportunities is often limited. Therefore, the government should prioritize outreach programs focused on eliminating child labor in these rural regions.

Although the majority of child laborers (67.17 percent) are still in school, nearly one third of them (31.64 percent) have dropped out. Economic factors are typically the primary reason for abandoning education.

Financial constraints in covering school expenses often lead to a desire to contribute to family income, which ultimately results in children taking up work. Additionally, many families rely on their children's earnings for survival, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. This situation raises concerns about reinforcing existing poverty cycles.