Raising a child costs an average of €264,000, according to insurer AG, based on figures from the Dutch-speaking Family Association.
AG compared expenses of a childless couple to those of a couple with children, both having the same standard of living and an average income of €3,908. The insurer evaluated costs up to the child’s 25th birthday, excluding child benefits and any fiscal impact.
The first child costs a minimum average of €807.43 per month, totalling approximately €232,540 after 25 years.
This amount includes expenses for food, hobbies, a mobile phone, and a bicycle but excludes specific costs like childcare, education, and medical expenses, which vary greatly with income.
When adding average childcare and education costs to the base amount, the total cost for a first child reaches €264,310. In families with multiple children, the average cost per child is lower, as some expenses—such as a pram, toys, and babysitting—can be shared among siblings.
It is often said that a child costs as much as a house, and AG’s figures seem to support this. According to Belgian statistics agency Statbel, the median price for a terraced or semi-detached house in Q3 2024 was €275,000, with apartments costing €245,000.
Important note: AG’s calculations did not include child benefits or fiscal effects. “The study focuses more on expenses than income,” stated AG.
