The relationship between children's economic contribution to the household and school attendance in Mali is examined. Particular attention is given to the effect of household composition and school attendance. "Multivariate analysis shows that school attendance is ensured by factors that enhance the maintaining of a structure in which young people, and especially girls, form a substantial proportion. More generally, as long as child labour is a necessity for a large number of households it will be difficult to ensure that a high proportion of children in Mali receive primary education." (EXCERPT)