Cost of Raising a Child in the UK

Tóm tắt

Raising a child from birth to age 18 in the UK costs between £150,000 and £250,000 depending on region, childcare choices, and lifestyle. The two headline studies are CPAG’s Minimum Income Standard research (£250,000 for a couple) and Shepherds Friendly/Loughborough University’s spending-based estimate (£213,000 average). Our calculator models the marginal cost — what each child adds to your household spending — broken down by age phase and category.

Cách hoạt động

The calculator divides childhood into four age phases, each with different cost profiles:

1. Baby (0–2) — nappies, baby gear, food, and potentially the most expensive childcare years
2. Toddler (2–4) — reduced nappy costs, nursery or childminder fees, growing food costs
3. Primary school (5–11) — school costs (uniform, meals, trips), after-school clubs, holiday childcare
4. Secondary school (12–18) — higher food, school, and technology costs; more expensive activities

Costs scale with food multiplier (budget to premium), regional childcare rates, and activity spending. Government support (Child Benefit and Tax-Free Childcare) is subtracted to give a net cost.

Công thức

Key cost components

Regional childcare costs (full-time nursery, under 2)

Part-time nursery is approximately 55% of full-time cost. Childminder is approximately 88% of nursery cost.

Government support

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Giải thích đầu vào

• Number of children — 1 to 4. Per-child costs are the same; Child Benefit rates differ for first vs subsequent children.
• Region — affects childcare costs only. London is ~40% more expensive than the North.
• Childcare type — full-time nursery, part-time nursery, childminder, or none.
• Years of paid childcare — how many years before school age (0–5). Typically 3–4 years.
• Activities & clubs — monthly spend per child on extra-curricular activities (swimming, football, music, etc.).
• Food cost adjustment — slider from 50% (budget) to 150% (premium) of the average food cost.
• Maternity income loss — optional: models the gap between your full salary and Statutory Maternity Pay over 52 weeks.

Giải thích đầu ra

• Total cost to 18 — the headline number: all marginal costs of raising the child from birth to age 18.
• Per child per month — total divided by 216 months (18 years).
• Government support — annual Child Benefit and Tax-Free Childcare entitlement.
• Net cost — total minus lifetime government support.
• Age phase chart — how costs distribute across baby, toddler, primary, and secondary years.
• Category breakdown — spending by category (childcare, food, education, housing, etc.).

Giả định và hạn chế

• Costs are marginal — the additional household spending attributable to the child, not total household spending.
• No inflation is applied over the 18-year period. All costs are in today’s prices. In practice, costs will be higher in later years.
• Childcare costs use pre-funded figures. The expanded 30-hours free childcare entitlement (from September 2025) significantly reduces out-of-pocket costs for eligible working parents. The calculator does not yet model funded hours.
• Housing costs are the marginal increase (extra room, utilities) — not the full cost of a larger home.
• No economies of scale for multiple children. In reality, siblings share rooms, clothes, and equipment, so the second child typically costs 20–30% less.
• Maternity loss assumes 52 weeks of leave with Statutory Maternity Pay only (no enhanced employer scheme).
• Regional childcare figures are averages. City-centre costs (especially Inner London) can be 50%+ higher.

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