Child labor is common in Bangladesh, with around 5 million children aged 5-14 considered economically active. The national definition of child labor is work exceeding a minimum number of hours depending on age, which can harm a child's development. Many laws and policies have been introduced to reduce child labor, but over a million children still do not attend school, perpetuating intergenerational poverty. Hazardous child labor remains an issue, with children working in dangerous jobs like brick breaking, rickshaw pulling, and carpentry.

8. Age group Bangladesh Urban Rural Both sexes Male Female Both sexes Male Female Both sexes Male Female 2002-03 NCLS Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Can read and write a letter (Literate) 52.1 55.9 48.1 63.3 66.9 59.5 48.6 52.5 44.5 Can notread and write a letter (illiterate) 47.9 44.1 51.9 36.7 33.1 40.5 51.4 47.5 55.5 2001 Pop. Census 42.5 46.4 38.3 57.3 61.8 52 37.9 41.3 34.4