In our society, the immediate step that comes after marriage is having a child. Within one year of marriage, couples are pestered by their families to have a child and “take the family line forward”. But nowadays, many couples are deciding to remain child-free, for which they receive a lot of criticism from society as well. Funnily, the arguments raised against them by society are quite selfish and transactional, the most popular of them being, “Who will take care of you in your old age?”
However, for middle-class families living in urban India, the cost of having and raising a child is too much. The financial aspect of having a child is something that a lot of families do not take into consideration. They think that to take money so seriously when it comes to children is something that is insensitive. But families need to be more practical and make informed decisions.
Mint recently released a well-researched report wherein they laid out the monthly cost that goes behind raising a child in urban India. In cities like Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi, schooling, extra-curricular activities, medical expenses, etc. is way too expensive.
For example, a couple living in Mumbai who has an 8-year-old son spends Rs 1.72 lakh annually on school fees, Rs 2000/month for extra-curricular activities, Rs 10,000-12,000 on medical expenses and Rs 20,000-24,000 on clothes alone. In addition to these expenses, they also have to save for their child’s future.
In another case, a couple living in Bangalore have two sons, one is 5-and-a-half years old and another is 8 months. Rs 80,000 is spent on school fees annually but Rs 1.8 lakh is spent on the car and fuel. Summer vacation camp costs Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 and Rs 40,000 goes behind the newborn’s annual medical expenses.
In Delhi, the annual school fee is Rs 1.56 lakh whereas in Indore it is 1.5 lakh.
Even before all these expenses, when the child is about to be delivered, a C-section costs Rs 1 lakh. In 10 years, it will cost approximately Rs 3.7 lakh. Vaccines for the first 18 months cost between Rs 60,000 to Rs 80,000.
Here’s a look at the full report by Mint:
The report was shared online by journalist Neil Borate.
What is the cost over time, of having a kid? Roughly speaking, about 1 crore over 20 years. If you include a foreign degree, cost will go up to 5-6 crores. Don't panic, this is spread over 20 years and accounts for inflation. Good story by @jashkriplani. https://t.co/YFi3Sl4g91 pic.twitter.com/YeWswdRTQs
— Neil Borate (@ActusDei) August 21, 2023
This detailed list of expenses made a lot of people online rethink their stance on having a child in today’s age. Here’s a look at some of the responses:
Laughing at comments saying this would deter people from having children. I mean….it should???
Kids whose "costs" aren't accounted for grow up listening to (urban, middle-class) parents whining about the favour they did by creating & raising them – something no child deserves. https://t.co/R6Db7XD2dM— Anagha (@songpapdi) August 21, 2023
This is the best contraceptive ad I've seen https://t.co/h3ToIwEyJh
— അ (@MulundSoman) August 21, 2023
While not everyone should refrain from parenthood, many who are considering having kids are nowhere close to ready, at least not financially – when you factor in societal and peer pressure.
The full cost of raising kids should be the most effective contraception. https://t.co/DgDu3AImCe
— LifeAfterFI (@LifeAfterFI) August 21, 2023
8 year old sons school costs now 1.72 lakh. Thats more than my engineering degree fees . What are they teaching in these schools? https://t.co/vzp8EzumuZ
— rojjot.eth (@rojjot) August 21, 2023
In spite of this, some folks and most Indian parents will be like… “Beta, vansh ko aage badhana hai.”
“… but salary, inflation…?”
“Woh sab chodo, bachche honge tto sab thik hoga.”
The ‘thik’ they’re referring to: https://t.co/7YJL23ktuQ
— Kartz (Also: @[email protected]) (@Lord_Kartz) August 22, 2023
most insane shit here is expenses on clothing 20k-30k. even good quality clothes these days are extremely cheap. utne me to hmare pure khandan ka kapda kharid jaye. wtf u guys wearing dawg https://t.co/TLSSfKHGs0
— markov_model (@sigma_femoid) August 21, 2023
Just thinking of what our ancestors going 4-5 generations back would say looking at this. https://t.co/rMJfU7QALK
— Raj Kunkolienkar (@kunksed) August 21, 2023
In Kerala towns school costs will be significantly less but most towns now have those expensive international schools. https://t.co/WKmA0FRD1l
— Tom Babu (@Tom_Babu) August 21, 2023
I see some of them being critical of this post. Nope. These are the factors which need to be taken care of while planning a family. Don't ruin the happiness of a kid if you are unable to give them happiness. https://t.co/YAZIwj9dZQ
— ಹೆಸರು ಬೇಳೆ (@WengerBhaktt) August 21, 2023
Raising a child in India will cost approx 5Lakh p.a adding inflation🥲🥲 https://t.co/sJOCYoRhG5
— SOHIT MANIK (@sohitmanik) August 21, 2023
Another reason not to have a kid 😶🌫️ https://t.co/a8pocAXZEl
— Muskan (@lolingaway) August 22, 2023
What are your views on this topic?