Share of children engaged in economic activity (15-17) in United States
United States: Share of children engaged in economic activity (15-17) was 23.54 in 2023. ▼ Falling
Share of children engaged in economic activity in United States, 2005–2023
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of children engaged in economic activity in United States is 23.54, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 4.1% on the previous year and up 42.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of children engaged in economic activity in United States peaked at 26.89 in 2006 and was at its lowest, 15.57, in 2011.
That places United States 13th out of 37 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 18 years of available data.
Share of children engaged in economic activity (15-17) in United States, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 26.02 | — |
| 2006 | 26.89 | +3.3% |
| 2007 | 24.79 | -7.8% |
| 2008 | 21.78 | -12.1% |
| 2009 | 18.46 | -15.2% |
| 2010 | 15.86 | -14.1% |
| 2011 | 15.57 | -1.8% |
| 2012 | 15.67 | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 16.49 | +5.2% |
| 2014 | 17.24 | +4.6% |
| 2015 | 18.24 | +5.8% |
| 2016 | 19.32 | +5.9% |
| 2017 | 20.64 | +6.8% |
| 2018 | 20.3 | -1.6% |
| 2019 | 20.27 | -0.2% |
| 2020 | 19.42 | -4.2% |
| 2021 | 22.63 | +16.5% |
| 2023 | 23.54 | +4.1% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 23.54 is above the median for high income countries, which is 3.7, 6.4× the median. (13 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 23.59 | 18.46 | 26.89 | 5 |
| 2010s | 17.96 | 15.57 | 20.64 | 10 |
| 2020s | 21.86 | 19.42 | 23.54 | 3 |
Countries ranked near United States
More gender data for United States
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 57,835 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth -0.4626 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 297,814 (2030)
- Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) 297,814 (2030)
- Population (UN estimates and projections), annual growth rate 0.6312 % change on previous year (2030)
- Age population, age 00, female, interpolated 1.79 million (2025)
- Age population, age 00, male, interpolated 1.88 million (2025)
- Age population, age 01, female, interpolated 1.80 million (2025)
- Age population, age 01, male, interpolated 1.89 million (2025)
- Age population, age 02, female, interpolated 1.83 million (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of children engaged in economic activity in United States?
- Share of children engaged in economic activity in United States was 23.54 in 2023, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest share of children engaged in economic activity recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 26.89 in 2006.
- What is the lowest share of children engaged in economic activity recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 15.57 in 2011.
- How does United States rank for share of children engaged in economic activity?
- United States ranks 13th out of 37 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of children engaged in economic activity rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 42.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Share of children engaged in economic activity (15-17). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 18 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
This indicator is based on harmonized definitions used by the ILO in the context of producing global estimates. Data may differ from nationally reported figures. This indicator refers to children ages 5-17 years old engaged in any form of market production and certain types of non-market production (principally that of goods such as agricultural produce for own use). This includes work in both the formal and informal economy, inside and outside family settings, for pay or profit (cash or in-kind, part-time or full-time) and domestic work outside the child's own household for an employer (paid or unpaid). For more information, refer to the Child Labour Statistics (CHILD) database description.