DINKU, YONATANFielding, David2023-03-141360-0818http://hdl.handle.net/1885/287029Child labour can deprive children of the right to a normal childhood and impair their productivity and earning capacity in later life. The relationship between child labour and cognitive development is central to these effects but has not yet been a focus of empirical research. Using panel data from Ethiopia and applying an instrumental variables estimator, we find a strong association of cognitive development with the amount of time previously spent by children on income-generating work, and with the amount of time spent on household chores. Existing levels of child labour in Ethiopia are thus demonstrably harmful.application/pdfen-AU© 2021 The authorsChild labourchildrencognitive developmenthuman capitalEthiopia202110.1080/13600818.2020.18361412021-12-26