The cost of having a baby in Europe: Where are essentials cheapest?
Baby essentials can cost significantly more in some European countries than others. And when measured against average wages, the cost of nappies, feeding and clothing can place a heavy financial burden on parents.
Welcoming a newborn baby is undoubtedly a momentous occasion, yet it comes with financial responsibilities. Nappies, feeding supplies, pushchairs, and clothing are just a few of the essential items parents must purchase. The expense of these baby essentials can be higher than anticipated.
A study by Remitly revealed that the annual cost of baby essentials during the first year of a baby's life varies significantly across Europe. The cost ranges from a modest €2,813 in the UK to a more substantial €6,294 in Spain, with a European average of €4,727. This research encompassed 14 essential items across six categories: nappy changes, bottles, baby formula, sleep essentials, transport, and clothing.
While Spain tops the list with the highest costs, the UK stands out as the most affordable at €2,813. The five largest economies, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, have costs ranging between €4,000 and €6,000. In contrast, countries like Albania, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina have the lowest costs, all falling below €4,000.
The expenditure on clothing, baby formula, and nappies accounts for the majority of baby costs, averaging 81% of total first-year expenditures. However, the proportion spent on each category varies across countries. For instance, clothing expenses constitute over 45% of costs in Sweden, the Netherlands, and Ireland, while baby formula accounts for more than 35% of expenses in Sweden, Turkey, Denmark, and Hungary.
When considering the cost as a percentage of the average annual wage, the affordability of baby essentials varies widely. In Luxembourg, these expenses represent just 6% of the average wage, while in Moldova, they account for a staggering 88.8%. Parents in Albania, Turkey, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina spend at least one-third of their average annual wage on baby essentials.
The research does not include nursery and crèche costs, which can significantly add to the financial burden of raising a child in Europe. For example, in Switzerland, gross childcare fees for two children reached €64,211 in 2023, while the Netherlands had the highest figure in the EU at €39,229. In Germany, the cost was comparatively lower at €552.
Written by urgent.news from Euronews's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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