An increasing number of minors are taking on paid employment, RÚV reports. In 2011, just under 56% of 17-year-olds were on the job market, as compared to 68% of 17-year-olds in 2018.
These new statistics, furnished by Statistics Iceland and derived from tax data, were discussed on Thursday at a conference organized by the Ombudsman for Children and the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health. It was shown that the economic crisis had slowed down minors’ employment rate, but it has since increased steadily. Icelandic minors start working at noticeable rates at the age of 13 and their employment rate steadily increases with every year.
Thirteen percent of 13-year-olds are in paid employment, as compared to 21% of 14-year-olds, 45% of 15-year-olds, and 59% of 16-year-olds. Most minors aged 14 to 17 are employed in the wholesale and retail sectors, or in restaurants or hotels.
