Legal working age

The legal working age is the minimum age required by law in each country or jurisdiction for a young person who has not yet reached the age of majority to be allowed to work. Activities that are dangerous, harmful to the health or that may affect the morals or well-being of minors fall into this category.

Parties to the International Labour Organization's 1973 Minimum Age Convention
  16
  15
  14

Africa

CountryLegal Working Age
 Kenya13: (Easy Work)
16: (Restricted working hours and the type of work)
19: (Unrestricted)[1]
 Nigeria12: Light work with family
15: Up to industrial work
16: Unrestricted[2]
 South Africa15: (Restricted working hours and the type of work)
18: (Unrestricted)[3]
 Egypt14: (Restricted working hours and the type of work)
16: (Unrestricted)
 Morocco16: (easy work)
19: (Unrestricted)

Americas

CountryLegal Working Age
 Anguilla
 Antigua and Barbuda14: (Restricted working hours)
18: (Unrestricted)[4]
 ArgentinaIt is forbidden to employ workers under 18 years of age for arduous, unhealthy, or hazardous work.
14: The working week for young workers between 14 and 16 years of age should not be more than 3 hours per day and 15 hours per week, only in the mother's, father's or legal guardian's company.
16: Young workers aged over 16 but under 18, have the right to work during normal business hours
18: Unrestricted[5]
 Aruba
 Bahamas14: (Employment during school hours is prohibited; Night work is prohibited; Industrial work is prohibited; Conditions in respect of young persons: in a school day, for not more than three hours, in a school week, for not more than twenty-four hours, in a non-school day, for not more than eight hours, in a non-school week, for not more than forty hours.)
16: (Unrestricted)[6]
 Barbados16: (Employment during school hours is prohibited; Night work is prohibited; Industrial work is prohibited)
18: (Unrestricted)[7]
 Belize
 Bermuda
 Bolivia10: Independent work (e.g. street selling) with parent permission and government supervision
12: Contract work (for a boss) with parent permission and government supervision; no more than 6 hours per day, not during school hours, and if it does not interfere with schooling
 BrazilIn Brazil, any work for minors under 16 years of age is forbidden, except for apprentices, who can start working at 14 years old. Until the age of 18, it is strictly prohibited for the teenagers to work at night or in dangerous or unhealthy conditions.[8]
14: Only apprentices can start working. It is forbidden to work in any other job.
16: Teenagers are allowed to work in any job, but they are prohibited to work at night or in dangerous or unhealthy conditions.
18: Unrestricted.
 British Virgin Islands
 Canada
 Caribbean Netherlands
 Cayman Islands
 Chile18: Unrestricted
 Costa Rica16: By default
 Cuba18: Unrestricted
 Curaçao
 Dominica12: No person shall take into his employment or employ in any occupation whatsoever any child; but a child may be employed in the domestic work or agricultural work of a light nature at home by the parents or guardian of the child.
18: (Unrestricted)[20]
 Dominican Republic18: Unrestricted
 El Salvador18: Unrestricted[21]
Children below the age 14 are not allowed to enter the workforce. Minors between the ages of 14 and 18 may work with permission from the Ministry of Labor if their employment is indispensable to either themselves or their family.
 Greenland
 Grenada
 Guadeloupe
 Guatemala18: Unrestricted
 Haiti16: By default
18: Unrestricted
 Honduras18: Unrestricted
 Jamaica16: By default
 Martinique
 Mexico15: Restricted working hours and the type of work
18: Unrestricted[22]
 Montserrat
 Nicaragua18: Unrestricted
 Panama18: Unrestricted
 Peru18: Unrestricted
 Puerto Rico16: By default
 Saint Barthélemy
 Saint Kitts and Nevis
 Saint Lucia
 Saint Martin
 Saint Pierre and Miquelon
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
 Sint Maarten
 Trinidad and Tobago16: By default
 Turks and Caicos Islands
 United States

Asia

CountryLegal Working Age
 China16: By default
 India14: Restricted working hours and the type of work
21: (Unrestricted)[40]
 Iran15: Minimum employment age
18: Hard Work
21: (Unrestricted)[41]
 Israel14: Minimum employment age
15: Restricted working hours and the type of work
18: (Unrestricted)[42]
 JapanMale:
15: Restricted occupations and hours of activity
18: (Unrestricted)

Female:
15: With broad restrictions for working hours and the type of work
18: May only participate in underground work if engaged in work specified by ordinance performed underground
20: (Unrestricted)[43]
Chapter 6, Articles 56–62

 South KoreaMale:
15: Restricted working hours
19: (Unrestricted)

Female:
15: Restricted working hours and the type of work.
18: Some limitations for work in overtly unhealthy conditions.
19: (Unrestricted)[44]
Articles 64 and 70–72 of the labour law implement the minimum age.

 Malaysia14: Easy Work.
16: (Unrestricted)[45]
 North Korea16: By default[46]
 Indonesia13: Minimum Employment age.
15: Restricted working hours and the type of work.
18: (Unrestricted)[47]
 Philippines15: (Restricted working hours and the type of work)
18: (Unrestricted)[48]
 Singapore13: Generally, a child must be at least 13 years of age before they can start working. The minimum legal age for working in Singapore is governed by the Employment Act and the Employment (Children and Young Persons) Regulations, and is enforced by the Ministry of Manpower.
15: Young persons above 15 may work in an industrial environment. However, the employer must inform the Commissioner of Labour within 30 days of their employment, and submit a medical certificate certifying their fitness for work.
16: Generally speaking, a person who is above the age of 16 is not a child or a young person, and is considered an adult worker (Unrestricted).[49]
 Taiwan15: A worker aged fifteen years old, shall be considered as a child worker.
16: No child worker and no worker aged sixteen or seventeen years old shall be permitted to do work that is potentially dangerous or hazardous in nature.
18: (Unrestricted)[50]
 Vietnam15: By default
 Thailand15 (with registration to Labour Inspection Officer until 18)[51]
 Turkey13: (Part-time employment; restricted to easy work)
15: (Unrestricted)[52]
 United Arab Emirates15 (with some restrictions) 18 (unrestricted)
 Yemen14: Light work with restricted hours.
15: Industrial work.
18: (Unrestricted)

Europe

CountryLegal Working Age
 Albania14: (Easy work performed at school holidays)
16: (Unrestricted)[53]
 Andorra14: (Easy work performed at school holidays; Maximum 6 hours per day, with minimum 1 hours break; Minimum 2 following days of rest per week)
16: (Maximum 8 hours per day, with minimum 1 hours break; Minimum 2 following days of rest per week)
18: (Unrestricted)[54]
 Armenia16: (Unrestricted; No person under the age of 16 is allowed to work in Armenia)[55]
 Austria14: (With many restrictions within a family setting)
15: (With minor restrictions assuming compulsory school years have been finished)
18: Unrestricted[56]
 Belarus14: Easy work with the permission from parents or legal guardians
16: Limited working hours up to 35 hours per week
18: Unrestricted
 Belgium15: (Must have completed 2 years of secondary education; restricted to light work)
16: (only light work)
18: Unrestricted
 Bosnia and Herzegovina15: (Restricted to light work; Restricted working hours)
18: (Unrestricted)[57]
 Bulgaria13: (Only for jobs as film actor or model; Strictly regulated)
15: (Strictly regulated)
16 (Minimum working age; Some occupations prohibited)
18: (Unrestricted)[58]
 Croatia15: (Restricted by the Labour laws)
18: (Unrestricted)[59]
 Cyprus15: (Restricted by the Labour laws)
18: (Unrestricted)
 Czech Republic14: (Only under special circumstances)
15: (Restricted occupations and working hours)
18: (Unrestricted)[60]
 DenmarkNone: (Only for activities in the cultural or artistic field. However, a police authorization must be obtained for these activities in advance.)
13: (Children 13–15 years of age may only perform light work, that is not in the vicinity of machinery. The working time may be on school days and up to 2 hours on other days up to 7 hours. In school-free weeks, the maximum working time must not exceed 35 hours per week.)
15: (Young people up to 18 years may not work in the following areas: with dangerous tools and equipment within hazardous work processes. The working time may not be between 18:00 und 6:00 on weekdays between 14:00 and 6:00 on holidays or Sundays. The maximum weekly working time must not exceed 40 hours.)
18: (Unrestricted)[61]
 Estonia13: A Person aged 13 may work under restrictions and parental permission.
15: Minimum Employment age. Minors under the age of 18 are restricted with working hours and certain occupations.
18: Unrestricted.[62]
 Finland14: Someone aged 14 may practise "light work".
15: Minimum Employment age. Minors under the age of 18 are restricted with working hours and certain occupations.
18: Unrestricted.[63]
 France14: (only for light work, regulated by Code du travail; No working at night; Strict time limitation; Parental permission is needed)
16: (No working at night; Strict time limitation; Parental permission is needed)
18: (Unrestricted)[64]
 Germany13: (with parental permission; and only easy work for example: paper round)
15: (Part-time work with less than 8 hours per day and maximum 40 hours per week; No work on weekends, statutory holidays and at night time or in an imperiling environment). Further restrictions for work break and minimum vacation days.
18: Unrestricted[65]
 Hungary16: (The Hungarian Labour Code allows for the employment of people over 16 years old. Young workers apply a two-year period of protection: at the time of their working time must not exceed 8 hours. per day and forty hours per week. If you work a minimum of 4.5 hrs., They are entitled to 30 minutes. break, nor can they be employed on a night shift.)
18: (Unrestricted)[66]
 Iceland13: (Only safe and easy work. Subject to restrictions on working time related to mandatory schooling.)[67]
16: (Employers have a duty to protect young workers from working in difficult and dangerous conditions in some sectors also apply to restrictions on working time.)
18: (Unrestricted)[68]
 Ireland14: (People aged under 16 years are not allowed to work full-time (full-time). The work of persons between the ages of 14 and 15 years must be obliged to comply with conditions:
• perform light work during the holidays - a person must necessarily have then at least 21 days off work
• work as part of the approved apprenticeship or training program.
• work in the film, when cultural undertakings, in advertising, or in connection with sporting events.)
16: (People aged 16 and 17 years old can only work the hours between 6:00 and 22:00.)
18: (Unrestricted.)[69]
 Italy15: (Restricted working hours and the type of work.)
18: (Unrestricted)[70]
 Latvia15: (People between 15 and 18 years of age may work no more than 7 hours a day and 35 hours per week (including time learning - if they learn). There must they stay at work after hours or work at night. It is also prohibited to employ minors under conditions which may threaten their health, safety and morals. Workers under 18 years of age are entitled to a month's leave, in their case does not apply or trial periods.)
18: (Unrestricted)[71]
 Liechtenstein14: (For light it is possible to hire 14-year-olds - but not longer than 9 hours per week during the school year and 15 hours a week during the holidays.)
15: (People aged over 15 but under 18 may work no more than 40 hours per week.)
18: (Unrestricted)[72]
 Lithuania14: (Under certain conditions it is also possible to employ people aged over 14 years old but under 16 years of age. They have the right to perform easy work - during the school year for no more than two hours during the day and 12 hours a week during the holidays - 7 hours a day and 35 hours per week.)
16: (Persons who have completed 16 years but has not reached the age of majority has no right to work more than 8 hours per day and 36 hours per week.)
18: (Unrestricted)[73]
 Luxembourg16
 Malta16: (Until they reach adulthood under the special protection of the law - are entitled to work up to 8 hours per day and 40 per week (included in is also a time of learning and training). Young worker has no right to do the work between the hours of 22 and 6 am.)
18: (Unrestricted)[74]
 Netherlands13: (The minimum age of employment under the supervision and with no guarantee of a minimum wage.)
15: (The right to the minimum wage.)
16: (Persons over 16 years but less than 18 years, has most of the rights and obligations as workers age. However, you will not be able to work in harmful conditions - including noise, cramped quarters and with toxic substances.)
18: (Unrestricted)[75]
 Norway13: (People aged over 13 but under 15 years of age may be employed only for light work that does not endanger the health, development, and does not interfere with learning.)
15: (Restricted working hours and the type of work.)[76]
18: (Unrestricted)[77]
 PolandNone: (Cultural and artistic field)
15: (Light work only)
18: (Unrestricted)[78]
 Portugal16: (Restricted working hours and the type of work.)
18: (Unrestricted)[79]
 Romania15: (Restricted)

16: (Unrestricted)[80]

 RussiaNone: (Artistic field only. Must have parental permission. Restricted working hours and shortened working week, must not interfere with school education or violate public morality)

14: (Light work only. Must have parental permission. Restricted working hours and shortened working week, must not interfere with school education)
16: (Light work only. Full school education required. Restricted working hours)
18: Unrestricted

 Serbia16: By default
 SpainNone: Artistic activities with parental permission and a specific authorization of the labor department.
16: Parental permission is required.
18: Unrestricted
 SwedenNone: (Only artistic field and some light risk free jobs. Must have parent permission. Restricted working hours and shortened working week.)

13: (Light work only. Must have parent permission. Restricted working hours and shortened working week.)
16: (Light work only. Restricted working hours)
18: (Unrestricted)[81]

  SwitzerlandAge 13: (Must have parental permission; only easy work)
  • During school weeks: Maximum 4 hours per day; and 9 hours per week.
  • During non-school weeks: Maximum 8 hours per day; and 40 hours per week.

Age 15: (Must have parental permission)

  • Maximum 9 hours per day; and 45–50 hours per week. Working maximum until 8 p.m.

Age 16: Minimum age to serve someone in restaurants, café or hotels. Minimum age to work in a circus or cinema.

  • Working maximum until 10 p.m.

Age 18: Unrestricted (and the minimum age to work in: Bars, Discos, Dancinghalls and Nightclubs)[82]

United Kingdom
None: (Artistic fields such as television, theatre and modelling)

Age 13: part-time [83]

Age 16: Full time (Needs to be paid through PAYE)

Age 18: Unrestricted [84]

Oceania

CountryLegal Working AgeFurther notes
 AustraliaVaries by state and territory.
13 (Queensland & Victoria; 11 when delivering newspapers, none for entertainment industries)

15 (Western Australia; most jobs, variations and restrictions apply for family businesses, entertainers/models, and newspaper delivery)[85]
No minimum working age (New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory)[86]

 New Zealand14: Babysitting[87]
15: Limited vehicle work and hazardous workplaces (logging, construction, heavy lifting, dangerous goods)[87]
16: Unrestricted working hours (between 10pm and 6am, and during school hours)[87]
18: Full Time Work[87]
18: Work in Restricted Areas except gambling work[87][88]
20: Unrestricted[87][89]
There is no minimum age of work in New Zealand,[88] but has multiple minimum ages of work for jobs with higher risk.[88]
 Papua New Guinea

See also

References