Parent tool · Penny

What a child really costs

“Nobody hands you a bill for raising a child — it arrives quietly, month after month. Here's what the numbers actually say, so you can plan instead of guess.”

— Penny

👶 What this child costs you between now and 18

€129,600

Families like yours spend about 15% of their income on their child.

€600

per month, per child

€7,200

per year, per child

€600

all your children together, per month

Net household income per month€4,000

Everything that lands in your account together — salaries, benefits, holiday pay.

Children in the household

Household

Your child's age now0 yr · 18 years still to go

🤍 Read this before you panic. This is not a bill — it's a share of what families actually spend, so it rises with income. Much of it you're already spending (bigger house, more food, more heating). Child benefit and allowances offset part of it. And the number gets smaller per child the more children you have.

🌱 The flip side. Those same years are the biggest head start you'll ever be able to give. Even a small amount, invested monthly from now until 18, grows into something real.

See what €25/month becomes by 18 →What a house really costs →

🔍 How this is calculated · sources

Child costs are measured as a share of household income, not a fixed price:

The shares — two parents: 15% of income for 1 child, 25% for 2, 29% for 3, 35% for 4. Single parent: 23% / 31% / 37% / 42%. These are the widely-published CBS figures summarised by Nibud.
Why a share — children don't have a fixed price — families spend more on them as income rises, and less per child as the family grows (one bedroom, one holiday, hand-me-downs).
To 18 — your monthly figure held flat from your child's current age until they turn 18. It does not add inflation, childcare peaks, or study costs after 18.

An honest estimate, not your personal budget: it can't know your rent, your childcare bill or your choices. Treat it as the right order of magnitude to plan around.

Sources: Nibud — Wat kost een kind, CBS.

⚠️ Educational only — not financial advice. Based on published average spending shares; your real costs will differ. Childcare, study costs after 18 and inflation are not included.

Parent tool · Penny

What a child really costs

“Nobody hands you a bill for raising a child — it arrives quietly, month after month. Here's what the numbers actually say, so you can plan instead of guess.”

— Penny

👶 What this child costs you between now and 18

€129,600

Families like yours spend about 15% of their income on their child.

€600

per month, per child

€7,200

per year, per child

€600

all your children together, per month

Net household income per month€4,000

Everything that lands in your account together — salaries, benefits, holiday pay.

Children in the household

Household

Your child's age now0 yr · 18 years still to go

🌱 The flip side. Those same years are the biggest head start you'll ever be able to give. Even a small amount, invested monthly from now until 18, grows into something real.

See what €25/month becomes by 18 →What a house really costs →

🔍 How this is calculated · sources

Child costs are measured as a share of household income, not a fixed price:

The shares — two parents: 15% of income for 1 child, 25% for 2, 29% for 3, 35% for 4. Single parent: 23% / 31% / 37% / 42%. These are the widely-published CBS figures summarised by Nibud.
Why a share — children don't have a fixed price — families spend more on them as income rises, and less per child as the family grows (one bedroom, one holiday, hand-me-downs).
To 18 — your monthly figure held flat from your child's current age until they turn 18. It does not add inflation, childcare peaks, or study costs after 18.

An honest estimate, not your personal budget: it can't know your rent, your childcare bill or your choices. Treat it as the right order of magnitude to plan around.

Sources: Nibud — Wat kost een kind, CBS.

⚠️ Educational only — not financial advice. Based on published average spending shares; your real costs will differ. Childcare, study costs after 18 and inflation are not included.