Brazil reports high child labor and teenage pregnancy rates, curbing women's opportunities

Data from the first quarter of 2026 show that 77.2% of Brazilian adolescents aged 14 to 17 who are employed are in illegal child labor, indicating that most teenage work occurs outside the legal allowances. The Brazilian Child and Adolescent Statute (ECA) prohibits work for those under 16, except for apprentices from age 14 under specific regulations, and lists hazardous activities that are barred for youths.

A separate study by Plan Brasil involving more than 1,500 women aged 19 to 29 across Brazil found that early motherhood reduces professional opportunities by roughly 50%. Eight in ten women who became pregnant during childhood or adolescence lost jobs or career prospects, and 61% dropped out of school compared with 33% of their non‑pregnant peers. Cynthia Betti, CEO of Plan Brasil, highlighted that teenage pregnancy deepens existing inequalities and called for integrated public policies to prevent it.