Children in Egypt.

The study examined changes in socioeconomic characteristics of children under 15 years of age in Egypt during the period 1960-86. Analysis was based on data from the 1960 1976 and 1986 censuses. It was found that the proportion of the population under age 15 declined during 1960-86 and that the changes were marginal in rural areas. Concerning children 10-14 years old it was found that the percentage of illiteracy decreased during 1960-86 for both males and females but the level of illiteracy for females was still very high as compared to that of males. Moreover during the period 1960/61-1986/87 enrollment in primary education was high. Female enrollment was still very low compared with that of males. The proportion of working children among those aged 6-14 amounted to 11.7% of the total labor force in 1960 increased to 13.1% by 1976 and declined to 3.9% by 1986. As expected the age-specific activity rate for males was higher than that for females and it increased by increasing ages. The percentage of working females (age 6-14) in relation to the total female labor force was higher than that for working males (age 6-14) in relation to the total male labor force. Agriculture was the common labor sector for Egyptian children aged 6-14. Moreover the percentage of males in the labor force aged 6-14 who worked in both agricultural and industrial sectors was higher than that of females in the same age group but the opposite was true for the service sector. Concerning the employment status of working children aged 6-14 the highest percentage was found among unpaid family workers; in contrast the lowest percentage was found in the employer category for both males and females. It was recommended that the labor participation of children be decreased by offering an attractive educational system which would include technical and scientific education at the same time in addition to raising the quality and quantity of education.