Italy: Raising a Child to Age 18 Can Cost Up to €212,000

Raising a child in Italy is becoming ever more expensive, with costs from birth to age 18 potentially reaching €212,000.

According to recently published data, the average cost for one child over 18 years is estimated at around €162,000, while depending on the family’s level of spending it can range from about €112,000 to €212,000.

Spending begins before birth, with medical visits, ultrasounds, preparation courses and equipment for the newborn, while as the child grows, costs for food, education, clothing, sports activities, technology and entertainment add up.

The teenage years prove among the most expensive. For ages 15 to 18, spending can reach around €50,000, driven especially by education, technology, extracurricular activities and growing personal needs.

The data also shows a rise in spending on subscription services, education and technological devices.

The cost of a child weighs considerably on the family budget, especially for single-parent families, while the arrival of a second child brings another significant rise in spending.

The rising cost of living and of spending on children is one of the factors tied to Italy’s broad debate on falling birth rates and families’ economic challenges.