Quick Answer
What is the average cost of raising a child in 2025?
The average cost of raising a child can be as high as $300,000 for the first 17 years in countries with a high cost of living.
Thinking about starting a family soon?
Knowing the average cost of raising a child in 2025 will help you much before you take the leap of fate.
The average cost of raising a child varies significantly by country.
People living in nations with a high cost of living find themselves in a difficult dilemma.
But worry not as this is only sometimes the case. Many governments offer interventions to aid in the growing costs of child care.
Tune in until the end to find interesting facts about the cost of raising a child globally.
Average Cost of Raising a Child in the United States in 2025
The United States has one of the highest costs of living worldwide. With this, adding a new member to the population comes with a hefty price tag.
The latest survey shows the average cost of raising a child in the United States this year is on the $18,000 per year mark.
In a more detailed look, a parent will shell out a total of $300,000 to raise a child until the age of 17 from 2015 to 2032.
This inflation-adjusted figure accounts for a 4% hike in Consumer Price Index yearly.
The US median salary in 2022 stands at $54,000 yearly. Meaning, a child’s cost will take out a huge percentage of an American’s household income yearly.
Expenditure Outlook in Raising a Child in the United States
Children need sustenance, education, housing, and transportation among others before reaching an age where they can stand on their own.
Here are the typical expenditures that come with raising a child in an average household in the United States:
- Housing – accounts for 32% of the entire cost of raising a child, the highest among all expenditures in child nurturing. The annual estimate for rent, repairs, and everything included in providing a dwelling for a child is $2,200
- Education – accounts for 20% of the total expenditures in child nurturing. The estimated annual cost of school fees per child is $1,400. Daycare fees can cost up to $4,000 annually in some cases
- Food – accounts for 13% of the total expenditures in child nurturing. The estimated annual cost for sustenance is $900 per child. This figure will eventually increase when the child reaches his teenage years a growing body size needs more nutrients. Meanwhile, the average cost for powdered baby formula is $400 to $800 monthly.
- Transportation – accounts for 11% of the total expenditures in child nurturing. A survey shows the annual cost of sending a child from one place to another is $800
- Health – accounts for 9% of the total expenditures in child nurturing, with the lowest spending at $600 per child
- Clothes – account for 7% of the total expenditures in child nurturing. The estimated cost is $500 annually, and diapers are one of the biggest budget consumers
- Miscellaneous – accounts for 4% of the total expenditures in child nurturing
Average Cost of Raising a Child in Australia in 2025
The average cost of raising a child in Australia is between $237,000 AUD to $548,000 AUD for 18 years, or between $13,000 to $30,000 AUD per year.
In 2018, parents who are average income earners spend between $140 AUD to $170 AUD a week for a child’s needs.
Here is what the overall expenditure in raising a child in Australia looked like in 2021. All figures are in AUD:
- Childcare – parents spent $122 monthly in this expenditure during the period
- Clothing – parents spent $140 monthly in this expenditure during the period
- Education – parents spent $386 monthly in this expenditure during the period
- Entertainment – parents spent $133 monthly in this expenditure during the period
- Food – parents spent $402 monthly in this expenditure during the period
- Healthcare – parents spent $112 monthly in this expenditure during the period
- Housing – parents spent $321 monthly in this expenditure during the period
- Transportation – parents spent $232 monthly in this expenditure during the period
- Tutoring – parents spent $58 monthly in this expenditure during the period
- Utilities – parents spent $134 monthly in this expenditure during the period
The data above shows Australian parents spend the highest on their child’s nutrition, with food expenditure coming at $402 per child every month. Education came next at $386, followed by housing at $321.
Average Cost of Raising a Child in the United Kingdom in 2025
The average cost of raising a child in the United Kingdom is £160,000 for a kid living with two parents.
The number is much higher for a single parent, coming at £193,000 for the period covering 0 to 18 years old.
The average cost of a nursery is £7,000 annually, while education is £63 per week. The latter will increase significantly as a child enters university.
The cost of tuition fees is estimated to come at £22,000 for an undergraduate degree.
Annual Cost of Raising a Child
The annual cost of raising a child varies per geographic location. Here is how it looks like in Europe, Africa, and Asia:
Average Cost of Raising a Child Per Year in Europe:
- Italy – parents from this country shell an average amount of $4,200 annually to raise one kid
- France – parents from this country shell an average amount of $5,000 annually to raise one kid
- Germany – parents from this country shell an average amount of $8,500 annually to raise one kid
- Spain – parents from this country shell an average amount of $4,300 annually to raise one kid
Average Cost of Raising a Child Per Year in Africa:
- Kenya – parents from this country shell an average amount of $660 annually to raise one kid
- South Africa – parents from this country shell an average amount of $600 annually to raise one kid
- Nigeria – parents from this country shell an average amount of $250 annually to raise one kid
Average Cost of Raising a Child Per Year in Asia:
- China – parents from this country shell an average amount of $1,500 annually to raise one kid
- South Korea – parents from this country shell an average amount of $12,500 annually to raise one kid
- Philippines – parents from this country shell an average amount of $10,000 annually to raise one kid
A Baby’s First Year of Expenditure in Europe
Take a look at this data on the average annual cost of a baby’s first year of life in Europe:
- Italy – parents spend €3,500 for a baby’s first year of life in the country
- France – parents spend €4,060 for a baby’s first year of life in the country
- Germany – parents spend €7,050 for a baby’s first year of life in the country
- Spain – parents spend €3,600 for a baby’s first year of life in the country
Conclusion
Becoming a first-time parent and starting a family is a serious endeavor.
The average cost of raising a child can be as high as $300,000 for the first 17 years in countries with a high cost of living.
Meanwhile, it’s cheaper to raise children in other nations not only because of the low cost of living but also for the presence of government aid to shoulder the costs.
