Cost guide
How much does it cost to raise a child in the UK?
In short. The Child Poverty Action Group's 'Cost of a Child' 2024 research put the basic cost of raising a child to age 18 at around £166,000 for a couple and £220,000 for a lone parent (excluding rent and childcare).
CPAG defines 'cost' as what families need to spend to reach a 'Minimum Income Standard' — a socially-acceptable basic standard, not a luxury one. Childcare and housing are excluded because they vary so widely.
Last reviewed:
·Typical range: £166,000–£220,000 (birth to 18, excluding rent and childcare)Typical breakdown
| Item | Typical range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Food (over 18 years) | £20,000–£28,000 | |
| Clothing and footwear | £8,000–£11,000 | |
| Childcare (typical, full-time, pre-school) | £8,000–£15,000/yr; falls sharply with new 30-free-hours rollout from Sept 2025 | |
| School costs (uniform, trips, supplies) | £500–£1,500/yr | |
| Activities and clubs | £200–£1,500/yr | |
| Transport (added to household costs) | Variable | |
| Holidays (added to household costs) | Variable |
What changes the cost
- Whether childcare is paid (UK working parents on UC or tax-free childcare can recover much of this)
- Number of children (shared costs reduce per-child)
- Lone-parent households cost more per child (no economies of scale on housing, transport)
- Region (London adds materially to most costs)
Worth knowing
- Child Benefit is available to anyone responsible for a child; the High Income Child Benefit Charge applies above £60,000 (from 6 April 2024)
- Tax-Free Childcare and the Universal Credit childcare element cannot be claimed for the same period
- From September 2025, working parents in England can access up to 30 free hours of childcare for children from 9 months to school age
FAQ
- Why is the cost higher for lone parents?
- Lone parents miss out on economies of scale — only one set of working tax-free allowances, one wage, no shared transport/housing costs. CPAG's research consistently shows a 25–35% premium.
- Does the figure include university?
- No — CPAG's figure runs to age 18. University adds tuition fees (loaned) and living costs.
- What support is available?
- Child Benefit, Universal Credit childcare element, Tax-Free Childcare (TFC), Healthy Start vouchers (if you're on certain benefits with a child under 4), and Sure Start Maternity Grant in some cases.