ABSTRACT Starting from young ages, children and youth are dealing with adult problems such as poverty and food security. For this reason, children and youth enter the labour market earlier than expected, compromising their scholastic performance and future earnings if they drop out of school. This study profiles the children and youth of South Africa who are engaged in labour market activities using a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. The characteristics of this sub-population are shown, as well as the types of work, remuneration and co-activities are investigated. Most of the children and youth engaged in labour activities are not in school, and many are working as street vendors. Also, the likelihood of engaging in labour activity is high if there is no father in the household. Steps need to be taken to keep children in school and not working in the informal economy.

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“我们很小，但我们有工作”：南非儿童和青少年劳动活动概况

摘要 从很小的时候开始，儿童和青年就在处理诸如贫困和粮食安全等成人问题。因此，儿童和青年比预期更早地进入劳动力市场，如果他们辍学，他们的学业成绩和未来收入就会受到影响。本研究使用具有全国代表性的横断面调查对从事劳动力市场活动的南非儿童和青年进行了概况分析。显示了该亚群的特征，并调查了工作类型、报酬和共同活动。从事劳动活动的儿童和青少年大多没有上学，许多人在街头做小贩。此外，如果家庭中没有父亲，从事劳动活动的可能性就很高。