The cost of parenthood has risen in Spain. Inflation has played a major role in this. On average, a child will cost €758 per month in 2024. That is 13% more than in 2022, when it was €672 per month, and 29% more than in 2018 (€587 per month).
This is evident from the study ‘El Coste de la Crianza en España 2024‘, carried out by the NGO Save the Children. Since 2022, housing (63%) and food (26%) costs have risen the most. Families with children are particularly affected by inflation. Specific “parentage inflation” is between 37% and 51% above headline inflation.
Families with children often spend more than half of their income on housing and food. The chance of falling below the poverty line increases by 70% for those who have children in their care. According to Save The Children, 43% of Spanish children live in a family with “major problems” to cope with unforeseen expenses. That is an increase of 4% compared to 2022.
Risk of poverty for more than half a million single-parent families
“Parenthood represents a significant economic burden for families, especially if the children are between the ages of 15 and 20. Having children has become a major risk factor for poverty,” said Save the Children’s Director-General Andrés Conde.
According to the study, the relative poverty rate of the general population has remained stable over the past year (from 20.8% to 20.2%). Among children and young people, this has increased from 27.8% to 28.9% in the past year. In addition, Save the Children describes the fact that half of its 530,000 single-parent families are at risk of poverty as “particularly concerning”.
Housing
The report points out that current housing costs have risen the most, with an increase of 63% since 2022 and 153% since 2018. On average, the additional costs for housing at the birth of a child amount to €92 per month. Housing-related expenses, including household facilities, amount to €135 per month per child.
Costs depending on age phase
The research also shows that the costs of raising a child vary “significantly” depending on the stage of childhood or adolescence. For example, the monthly costs from 0 to 3 years are €609, especially for the nursery, upbringing, and care.
From 4 to 6 years old, the monthly cost is €692. For 7 to 12-year-olds, this is €812 per month. From 13 to 17 years old, the monthly costs are €807. At this stage, young people want more and more technological devices.
Appeal to the Spanish government
The research concludes with a call to strengthen government policies to support parenthood. For example, by introducing universal child benefit. This measure would help families with some of the costs of parenthood, remove bureaucratic barriers, and provide ongoing support. Especially for those with less financial resources, this would be a godsend.
In addition, Save the Children proposes to revise the Complemento de Ayuda a la Infancia (CAPI), to improve this aid to better support families with older children, especially adolescents.