Towards the first generation free of child labour

An integrated and interdependent analysis of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in relation to Target 8.7

4. Quality education

Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development. Major progress has been made towards increasing access to education at all levels and increasing enrolment rates in schools particularly for women and girls.

Basic literacy skills have improved tremendously, yet bolder efforts are needed to make even greater strides for achieving universal education goals. For example, the world has achieved equality in primary education between girls and boys, but few countries have achieved that target at all levels of education.

Prevention and promotion of skills needed for employment and decent work, with a consequence of sustained, sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Access by all children to early childhood care and development and quality pre-school education. Social interventions in the early childhood may reduce some of the damages caused by adverse environments (such as child labour): they reduce future disadvantages and have a high economic return not only for child beneficiaries themselves, but also for their future offspring and society as a whole.