<Tr> <Td> Girls </Td> <Td> 744,900,000 </Td> <Td> 167,600,000 </Td> <Td> 22.5 </Td> <Td> 113,300,000 </Td> <Td> 15.2 </Td> <Td> 74,800,000 </Td> <Td> 10.5 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Total </Td> <Td> 1,531,500,000 </Td> <Td> 351,700,000 </Td> <Td> 23.0 </Td> <Td> 245,500,000 </Td> <Td> 16.0 </Td> <Td> 170,500,000 </Td> <Td> 11.1 </Td> </Tr> <P> The term child labour can be misleading when it confuses harmful work with employment that may be beneficial to children . It can also ignore harmful work outside employment and any benefits children normally derive from their work . Domestic work is an example: all families but the rich must work at cleaning, cooking, caring, and more to maintain their homes . In most families in the world, this process extends to productive activities, especially herding and various types of agriculture, and to a variety of small family businesses . Where trading is a significant feature of social life, children can start trading in small items at an early age, often in the company of family members or of peers . </P> <P> Work is undertaken from an early age by vast numbers of children in the world and may have a natural place in growing up . Work can contribute to the well - being of children in a variety of ways; children often choose to work to improve their lives, both in the short - and long - term . At the material level, children's work often contributes to producing food or earning income that benefits themselves and their families; and such income is especially important when the families are poor . Work can provide an escape from debilitating poverty, sometimes by allowing a young person to move away from an impoverished environment . Young people often enjoy their work, especially paid work, or when work involves the company of peers . Even when work is intensive and enforced, children often find ways to combine their work with play . </P>

Article on poverty and lack of education are the main causes of child labour