ANALYSIS OF CHILD LABOR IN THE RURAL HONDURAN CONTEXT: TRENDS AND CHALLENGES (2012–2024)

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze child labor in the rural context of Honduras. Child labor in rural areas of Honduras is a structural phenomenon that significantly affects children’s development and their educational and social opportunities. This issue persists due to economic, social, and cultural factors. Methodologically, the study is based on secondary data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) of Honduras, obtained from the Permanent Household Survey of Multiple Purposes (EPHPM) conducted between 2012 and 2024. The analysis focuses on minors who both study and work or who only work, and their relationship to the total rural child population. The data were organized by year, number of minors involved, and percentage relative to the rural child population, which made it possible to observe trends over the analyzed period. The results show that, although the number of minors who combine study and work or who work exclusively fluctuated between 2012 and 2024, this group represents a significant proportion of the rural child population, accounting for an average of 17.8% over the entire period. It is observed that working minors are mainly concentrated in agricultural activities, reflecting the dependence of rural households on agricultural production. Likewise, the combination of study and work affects school engagement, while exclusive participation in productive activities is associated with households facing greater economic needs, highlighting the direct relationship between poverty and child labor. In conclusion, child labor in rural areas of Honduras requires a comprehensive approach that combines government action and social co-responsibility, focused on protecting children’s rights and promoting their holistic development.