Country profile EGY
Context
Context
| Year | Age group | Proportion | Gender | Indicator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5-17 | 3.1 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2021 | 5-17 | 1.2 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2021 | 5-17 | 2.2 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2021 | 5-17 | 4.3 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2021 | 5-17 | 2.9 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2021 | 5-17 | 3.6 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2022-06-12 | C182 | Ministerial Decree No. 215 of the year 2021 for “Defining the employment and training of children, the circumstances and conditions in which employment takes place and businesses, occupations and industries in which children are prohibited to be employed”, published in Egyptian Gazette- No. 131 (continued) on 12 June 2022 - Article 3 | [{"link_name":"Ministerial Decree No. 215 of the year 2021","source_link":"https://www.almasdar.com/117936"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Article 3 of the Law stipulates that it is also prohibited to employ children in an any illegal activities. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2014-01-18 ; 1996-03-28 ; 1937 | C182 | Constitution - Article 80 ; Child law - Article 116-bis (a) ; Penal Code - Article 291 | [{"link_name":"-Constitution","source_link":"https://sschr.gov.eg/en/the-egyptian-constitution/"},{"link_name":"-Child Law","source_link":"https://learningpartnership.org/sites/default/files/resources/pdfs/Egypt-Law%20No%2012%20of%201996%20Child%20Law%20Amended%20by%20Law%20No%20126%20of%202008_complete-English.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Penal Code","source_link":"https://manshurat.org/node/14677"},{"link_name":"-CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4118601,102915"}] | No | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | According to Article 80 of the Constitution, "The State shall provide children with care and protection from all forms of violence, abuse, mistreatment and commercial and sexual exploitation.". Besides, Article 116-bis (a) of the Child Law punishes "anyone importing, or exporting, or producing, or preparing, or viewing, or printing, or promoting, or possessing, or broadcasting pornographic material using children, or related to the sexual exploitation of children.". For its part, Article 291 of the Penal Code states that "it is prohibited to violate the right of a child to protection from trafficking or from sexual, commercial or economic exploitation, or from being used in research and scientific experiments". However, in an Observation published in 2021, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) noted that section 94 of the 2008 Child Law provides that the age of criminal responsibility starts at 7 years. Moreover, although section 111 of the Child Law prohibits handing down criminal sentences amounting to the death sentence, life imprisonment or hard labour to children under 18 years of age, it provides that children over 15 years of age are liable to confinement in jail for not less than three months or to the measures stated in section 101. In this regard, it noted that section 101 of the Child Law provides that a child under the age of 15 years who has committed a crime shall be subjected to the following sanctions: reprimand; being institutionalized; following a course of training and rehabilitation; carrying out specific duties; judicial testing; performing work for the public interest which is not hazardous; and placement at one of the specialized hospitals or at social welfare institutions. The Committee thus noted the provisions of the Child Law and of the Penal Code are insufficient to protect children who are used, procured or offered for the purpose of prostitution, as they allow for child victims of prostitution who are over 15 years of age to be held criminally responsible. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 28 March 1996 amended in 2008 and 2015 | C182 | Child Law - Articles 2 and 7bis.b. | [{"link_name":"Child Law","source_link":"https://learningpartnership.org/sites/default/files/resources/pdfs/Egypt-Law%20No%2012%20of%201996%20Child%20Law%20Amended%20by%20Law%20No%20126%20of%202008_complete-English.pdf"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | Article 7bis.b. of the Child law states that the State shall ensure the protection of the life of the child, his safe and secure upbringing away from armed conflicts, and ensure that he shall not engage in any acts of war. In its Article 2, the Text defines a child as a person below the age of 18, thus prohibiting the involvement of children below that age in armed conflict. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2014-01-18 ; 1996-03-28 ; 2010 ; 1937 | C182 | Constitution - Article 80 ; Child Law - Article 116-bis (a) ; Law No. (64) of 2010 regarding Combating Human Trafficking - Articles 2 and 6 ; Penal Code - Article 291 | [{"link_name":"-Constitution","source_link":"https://sschr.gov.eg/en/the-egyptian-constitution/"},{"link_name":"-Child Law","source_link":"https://learningpartnership.org/sites/default/files/resources/pdfs/Egypt-Law%20No%2012%20of%201996%20Child%20Law%20Amended%20by%20Law%20No%20126%20of%202008_complete-English.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Law No. (64) of 2010 regarding Combating Human Trafficking","source_link":"https://sherloc.unodc.org/cld/uploads/res/document/egy/law-no--64-of-2010-regarding-combating-human-trafficking_html/Law_64-2010_Eng_and_Ara.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Penal Code","source_link":"https://manshurat.org/node/14677"},{"link_name":"-CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4118601,102915"}] | No | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | According to Article 80 of the Constitution, "The State shall provide children with care and protection from all forms of violence, abuse, mistreatment and commercial and sexual exploitation.". Besides, Article 116-bis (a) of the Child Law punishes " anyone using a computer or internet or information networks or cartoons […] induce or exploit children to engage in prostitution or pornographic activities or defame them, or sell them [and] anyone using a computer or internet or information networks or cartoons to induce children to delinquency or use them in committing crimes or engage them in illegitimate activities or immoral acts, even if the crime did not occur.". Furthermore, while Article 2 of the Law No. (64) of 2010 regarding Combating Human Trafficking states that Human trafficking includes the exploitation of acts of prostitution and all forms of sexual exploitation, exploitation of children in such acts and in pornography, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery or servitude, or begging or removal of human organs, tissues or a part thereof, Article 6 of the same Text punishes anyone who committed the crime of human trafficking. For its part, Article 291 of the Penal Code states that "it is prohibited to violate the right of a child to protection from trafficking or from sexual, commercial or economic exploitation, or from being used in research and scientific experiments" and punishes “anyone who buys or sells a child, or offers a child for sale, or anyone who delivers or accepts or transfers a child as a slave, or exploits the child sexually or commercially, or exploits the child in forced labor, or other illegal purposes, even if the crime is committed transnationally”. However, in an Observation published in 2021, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) noted that section 94 of the 2008 Child Law provides that the age of criminal responsibility starts at 7 years. Moreover, although section 111 of the Child Law prohibits handing down criminal sentences amounting to the death sentence, life imprisonment or hard labour to children under 18 years of age, it provides that children over 15 years of age are liable to confinement in jail for not less than three months or to the measures stated in section 101. In this regard, it noted that section 101 of the Child Law provides that a child under the age of 15 years who has committed a crime shall be subjected to the following sanctions: reprimand; being institutionalized; following a course of training and rehabilitation; carrying out specific duties; judicial testing; performing work for the public interest which is not hazardous; and placement at one of the specialized hospitals or at social welfare institutions. The Committee thus noted the provisions of the Child Law and of the Penal Code are insufficient to protect children who are used, procured or offered for the purpose of prostitution, as they allow for child victims of prostitution who are over 15 years of age to be held criminally responsible. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2022-06-12 | C138 & C182 | Ministerial Decree No. 215 of the year 2021 defining the employment and training of children, the circumstances and conditions in which employment takes place and businesses, occupations and industries in which children are prohibited to be employed - Article 3, Table 1 | [{"link_name":"Ministerial Decree No. 215 of the year 2021","source_link":"https://www.almasdar.com/117936"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | Article 3 of the Order prohibits they employment of children below the age of 18 years in the list of activities defined in Table 1 as well as in any type of work that, by its nature or the circumstance in which it is carried out, exposes children's health, safety or morals to danger or is likely to lead to do such. |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2022-06-12 ; 1996-03-28 | C138 & C182 | Ministerial Decree No. 215 of the year 2021 defining the employment and training of children, the circumstances and conditions in which employment takes place and businesses, occupations and industries in which children are prohibited to be employed - Article 3, Table 1 ; Child Law No. 12 of 1996, amended by Law No. 126 of 2008 - Article 65 | [{"link_name":"-Ministerial Decree No. 215 of the year 2021","source_link":"https://www.almasdar.com/117936"},{"link_name":"-Child Law","source_link":"https://learningpartnership.org/sites/default/files/resources/pdfs/Egypt-Law%20No%2012%20of%201996%20Child%20Law%20Amended%20by%20Law%20No%20126%20of%202008_complete-English.pdf"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | Article 3 of the Order prohibits they employment of children below the age of 18 years in the list of activities defined in Table 1 as well as in any type of work that, by its nature or the circumstance in which it is carried out, exposes children's health, safety or morals to danger or is likely to lead to do such. In addition, Article 65 of the Child Law states that "the employment of children in any type of work that, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety, or morals of children shall be prohibited, in particular regarding the employment of a child in any type of work set forth in the ILO Convention No. 182 of 1999 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour". |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2022-06-12 ; 2025-05-15 | C138 | Ministerial Decree No. 215 of the year 2021 of defining the employment and training of children, the circumstances and conditions in which employment takes place and businesses, occupations and industries in which children are prohibited to be employed - Article 2 ; Labor Law No.14/2025 - Article 62 | [{"link_name":"-Ministerial Decree No. 215 of the year 2021","source_link":"https://www.almasdar.com/117936"},{"link_name":"-Labour Law No.14/2025","source_link":"https://eg.andersen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Translation-of-Labor-law-No.-14-of-2025.pdf"}] | 14 | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | Article 2 of the order states that children should not be provided with training before they reach the age of 14 years and that no work shall be assigned to them while they are receiving training. Besides, Article 62 of the Labour Law states that, it is prohibited to employ children before they reach the age of fifteen. However, they may be trained once they reach the age of fourteen, provided it does not hinder their continued education. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 2014-01-18 ; 1996-03-28 ; 2025-05-15 | C138 | Constitution - Article 80 ; Child Law - Article 59(1), Article 64 ; Labor Law No.14/2025 - Article 62 | [{"link_name":"-Constitution","source_link":"https://wwwex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/97325/EGY97325%20Eng.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Child Law","source_link":"https://learningpartnership.org/sites/default/files/resources/pdfs/Egypt-Law%20No%2012%20of%201996%20Child%20Law%20Amended%20by%20Law%20No%20126%20of%202008_complete-English.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Labor Law No.14/2025","source_link":"https://eg.andersen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Translation-of-Labor-law-No.-14-of-2025.pdf"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | The Constitution Article 80 stipulates every child shall be entitled to acquire early education in a childhood centre until the age of 6 and that it is prohibited to employ children before the age of completing their preparatory education (6 years of primary and 3 years of preparatory). This is aligned with Article 59(1) of the Child Law that specifies that the compulsory basic education stage includes two levels: the primary level and the preparatory level. Calculating therefore that the age of completion of compulsory education is in line with the minimum age for admission to work set at 15 by Article 64 of the Child Law. It is also worth noting that, Article 62 of the Labor Law No.14/2025 states that it is prohibited to employ children before they reach the age of fifteen. However, they may be trained once they reach the age of fourteen, provided it does not hinder their continued education. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 1996-03-28 amended in 2008 and 2015 | C138 | Child Law - Section 64 | [{"link_name":"Child Law","source_link":"https://learningpartnership.org/sites/default/files/resources/pdfs/Egypt-Law%20No%2012%20of%201996%20Child%20Law%20Amended%20by%20Law%20No%20126%20of%202008_complete-English.pdf"}] | N/A | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | Section 64 of the Child Law permits children between the ages of 12 to 14 years, by decree of the governor concerned, with the agreement of the Minister of Education, to perform seasonal work which is not prejudicial to their health or development and does not interrupt their education. No further information is provided regarding the circumstances and hours under which such work can be carried out. |
| Minimum age for light work | 28 March 1996 amended in 2008 and 2015 | C138 | Child Law - Section 64 | [{"link_name":"-Child Law","source_link":"https://learningpartnership.org/sites/default/files/resources/pdfs/Egypt-Law%20No%2012%20of%201996%20Child%20Law%20Amended%20by%20Law%20No%20126%20of%202008_complete-English.pdf"},{"link_name":"-CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4118596,102915"}] | 12 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | The minimum age for light work in Egypt is set by the Child Law in Section 64 at 12 years. In CEACR Observation adopted in 2021 on C138 regarding light work, the Committee recalled that, in accordance with Article 7(1) of the Convention, light work is only permitted for persons from 13 to 15 years of age, given that Egypt has specified 15 years as the minimum age for admission to employment or work. In the same observation, the Committee requests the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that Section 64 of the Child Law is amended either to raise the minimum age of admission to light work to 13 years, in accordance with Article 7(1) of the Convention, or to remove the possibility for children under the age of 15 to perform light work altogether, in accordance with the recommendations made by the tripartite Committee in the framework of the revision of the Child Law. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 1996-03-28 amended in 2008 and 2015 | C138 | Child Law - of the Child Law stipulates that | [{"link_name":"Child Law","source_link":"https://learningpartnership.org/sites/default/files/resources/pdfs/Egypt-Law%20No%2012%20of%201996%20Child%20Law%20Amended%20by%20Law%20No%20126%20of%202008_complete-English.pdf"}] | 15 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | Article 64 of the Child Law stipulates that children shall not be employed for work before reaching the age of 15 calendar years. Nor shall they be provided with training before they reach the age of 13 years. Children of 12 to 14 years of age may, by a decree from the concerned Governor and subject to the approval of the Minister of Education, be licensed for seasonal employment which has no harmful consequence to their health or growth, nor interferes with their school attendance. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 06-MAY-2002 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 09-JUN-1999 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The initiative mainly supports the key pillars of human development including education, health, job, opportunities, social protection, culture, personality and behavioral development. Elimination of Child Labour is one of the initiative's main targets. Efforts shall be directed towards reduction of school drop-out rates, enhancing the quality of technical and vocational education, raising awareness on detriments of child labour, enhancing the coverage of social protection programmes such as Takaful and Karama Programme, and finally economic empowerment of most vulnerable families. | [{"link_name":"Bedaya for Egypt","source_link":"https://bedayaforegypt.org/"}] | 2024-2030 | Presidential Initiative for Human Development - Bedaya for Egypt | Ministerial Group for Human Development |
| The National Strategy for Human Rights aims at advancing all human rights in Egypt through enhancing respect for and protection of all civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, stipulated for in the Egyptian Constitution, national laws and international and regional instruments ratified by Egypt. Some of its focus areas cover the right to education and child's right. The targets identified in both domains include to reducing the illiteracy rate; to ensure higher enrolment rates and lower dropout rates are achieved, and the educational gap is narrowed between children in urban and rural areas; to develop the establishment of schools for all levels throughout Egypt and improve their technological infrastructure; to develop the training of teachers and increase their number; to raise the level of awareness regarding child's rights; to protect children from from abuse, exploitation, negligence and all forms of violence and provide support to child protection committees; to reduce children homelessness; to enhance mechanisms for child’s access to full health care through improving the quality of health care services provided to them, increasing regular pregnancy care services and reducing child mortality; to reduce practices under the worst forms of child labour and enhance the enforcement of laws regulating child labour; to create more child help hotlines; to study the amendment of certain articles of part two of chapter three on Social Care of the Child law to ensure that foundlings and found children have access to their rights, especially to health and education. | [{"link_name":"National Strategy for Human Rights","source_link":"https://nwm.unescwa.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/national-human-rights-strategy-en.pdf"}] | 2021-2026 | National Strategy for Human Rights | Supreme Standing Committee for Human Rights |
| In its CEACR Direct Request on C182 adopted in 2021 the committee mentions National Action Plan to Combat the Worst Forms of Child Labour 2018-2025 (NAP-WFCL). The National Action Plan sets out six key priority areas to eliminate child labour in Egypt. Priority Area 1 focuses on strengthening knowledge on child labour, including conducting national surveys, organizing capacity-building workshops, and studying the causes of school dropout. Priority Area 2 aims to reinforce and coordinate legislative and institutional frameworks, through measures such as updating hazardous occupation lists, adopting new labour laws, and establishing specialized committees and child labour units. Priority Area 3 seeks to enhance monitoring, protection, and prevention by digitalizing labour inspections, launching standard operating procedures, training inspectors and educators, and implementing strategies to address school dropout. Priority Area 4 promotes preventive and protective practices through initiatives like cash transfers, school feeding programmes, income-generating projects for families, and financial inclusion schemes. Priority Area 5 focuses on enhancing apprenticeship and dual education systems by expanding training opportunities for youth and strengthening institutional partnerships. Finally, Priority Area 6 aims to increase awareness and social mobilization by integrating child labour issues into national awareness programmes, producing communication materials, and engaging communities and employers to protect children’s rights. | [{"link_name":"NAP-WFCL","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4118599,102915:NO"}] | 2018-2025 | National Action Plan to Combat the Worst Forms of Child Labour 2018-2025 (NAP-WFCL) | No information |