Raising a child in Madrid is, according to a study by Save the Children, an economic challenge that in 2024 reaches 896 euros per month per child. This figure is 18% more than the national average (758 €) and reflects a 10% increase compared to 2022.
The data highlights how inflation has impacted essential items such as housing, food and clothing, with housing being the main culprit, accounting for 22% of the family budget, a significant increase of 162% since 2018.
The analysis details the expenses according to ages: from 0 to 3 years old, reconciliation and care amount to €609/month. From 4 to 6 years, they rise to €692/month, while the most expensive stage is from 7 to 12 years, reaching €951/month due to higher food needs and home adaptations. From the age of 13 onwards, spending drops slightly to €807/month, but is still high.
The cost in other regions of Spain
In comparison, Catalonia is the most expensive community with 938 €/month, while Andalusia is the most affordable, with 722 €/month. However, in Madrid, 16% of families with children (some 114,000) cannot cover these costs even by allocating all their income, which evidences a risk of social exclusion linked to parenting.
“Parenting represents a considerable economic burden for families, especially in adolescence, and has become a significant risk factor for poverty,” says Andrés Conde, general director of Save the Children.
The report also links these costs to the low birth rate in Spain, where the birth rate per woman is only 1.16, the lowest in the European Union. For Save the Children, ensuring equitable access to resources for families is key to curbing this trend.