As parents, we all know that raising kids comes with a price tag — we’re the ones covering it, after all. But have you ever stopped to work out just how much the cost of raising a child actually adds up to over the years?
Research commissioned by laya life, carried out by Empathy Research among 1,000 parents, put a figure on it: a total of €105,321 (roughly $114,785 or £73,585) per child, from birth to age 21. That research broke down the biggest child-related costs parents face over that time — everything from everyday food and clothing to the bigger-ticket items like childcare and education. On average, the survey found that Irish households were spending around €11,033.64 a year on each child.
Here are some of the key findings
The majority of parents (77%) admitted they put too much pressure on themselves to give their kids everything.- Childcare came out as the single biggest annual outlay for parents, at an average of €4,049 — a significant chunk (7%) of annual household income*.
- University and third-level fees averaged €4,056 a year, while other education-related costs — things like uniforms, extra-curricular classes and school trips — added up to €1,707.12 a year.
- Most parents said they were just about keeping their heads above water, with almost 6 out of 10 (57%) saying they weren’t able to put anything aside in savings.
- Kids aged 15–17 turned out to be the most expensive age group, with monthly household costs for this age peaking at €1,068.
\Average figure based on the average number of children per household (2.2)*
\\Based on a mid-point average annual household income of €56,672.77 among those surveyed
Worth noting: this survey looked at school-related costs as they stood at the time. Since then, the free schoolbooks scheme has changed the picture for families in Ireland — school textbooks, workbooks and core stationery are now provided on a loan basis at primary level, and post-primary schools cover core books and items too (sometimes with a refundable deposit). So while education still comes with real costs — uniforms, footwear, photocopying fees, extra-curricular activities, school trips and voluntary contributions among them — the schoolbooks line looks different for most families today than it did in this research.
If you’re looking at your own household budget, it might also be worth checking whether you qualify for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, a means-tested support that helps with uniform and footwear costs. Rates and eligibility are set each year, so it’s best to check the current details on gov.ie rather than go on older figures.
So, what’s your view?
Numbers like these can be a bit of a jolt to see written down, but they also reflect something most parents already feel day to day: raising kids is a significant financial commitment, and it doesn’t ease off in a straight line — it shifts as your children grow, with childcare dominating the early years and education and activities taking over later on.
What’s your experience been? Does this match what you’re spending, or does your household look different? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the biggest cost of raising a child?
According to this research, childcare was the single largest annual cost for parents of younger children, while education costs — including third-level fees — became more significant as children got older.
Does the cost of raising a child change as they get older?
Yes. Costs tend to shift rather than disappear — early years costs are dominated by childcare, while the teenage years bring higher costs linked to education, activities and everyday spending.
Is there support available for school-related costs in Ireland?
Yes. Families in Ireland may be able to get help through schemes such as the free schoolbooks scheme and the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. Since eligibility and payment amounts are reviewed each year, it’s best to check gov.ie for the current details before you budget around them.
You might also like
- How Much Will You Spend on Back to School Costs?
- Smart Ways to Save Money as a Family
- Budgeting for Childcare: What Irish Parents Need to Know
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Family budgets are always evolving, so if this topic is useful to you now, it’s worth bookmarking to revisit as your own costs change. Browse our family life section for more practical money and planning ideas for parents.
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