How much does it cost to raise a child in India? The expense is making young Indians rethink parenthood

Time of India

4 hours ago

A child in urban India now comes with a price tag that is making many pause. Nearly Rs 45 lakh — that's the figure Bengaluru-based startup founder Meenal Goel laid out in a viral
LinkedIn
post. Her breakdown of the numbers shows why middle-class parenting is starting to feel out of reach for many.
She wrote, "
Cost of raising a child in India
is ~ Rs 45 lakhs! We are scared to have a kid, because we cannot afford it. I recently met a couple who said this, and honestly, they're not wrong."
It is not just fear. It's real maths. Goel decided to run the numbers after hearing this worry first-hand.
Early years, early bills
According to Goel's breakdown, the cost starts even before a child learns to walk. She wrote, "So I sat down and did the math. What does it actually cost to raise a child in India in 2025?"
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The delivery alone can drain Rs 1.5–2.5 lakh. Vaccinations add another Rs 30,000–50,000. Then come the basics — diapers, baby food, a pram, maybe a cradle — together these can take another Rs 3 lakh out of parents' pockets.
Add playschool and daycare, which often become lifelines for working parents in cities. That's another Rs 2.5 lakh. By the time the child starts school, many parents have already spent Rs 7–8 lakh.
The school years: A costly climb
From age 6 to 17, the money drain only grows. Private school fees alone can touch Rs 12 lakh in total. Goel wrote, "Just the school fees can add up to Rs 12 lakh. Throw in extra tuition, coaching classes, gadgets, uniforms, books, and activities, and the total reaches around Rs 17 lakh."
These extras are no longer optional for many families who want their children to keep up. Gadgets for online classes, private tutors to bridge gaps, hobby classes to build skills — they all come with a price tag.
College costs seal the deal
Parents often dream of giving their child the best shot at life. But higher education has turned into one of the heaviest expenses. Private college fees, hostel stay, daily meals and living costs can easily push the final phase to another Rs 13 lakh.
Put it all together — Rs 38–45 lakh is what it takes for one child to reach adulthood. That's the reality Goel's post has forced many to face.
Cities vs villages: The gap widens
Raising a child is not cheap anywhere, but cities make it harder. Families in metros like Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru see higher school fees, daycare bills and medical expenses than rural households. Government schools may be cheaper, but many urban professionals skip them for private or international schools, which can demand Rs 1–9 lakh a year.
Add branded clothes, birthday parties, gadgets, maybe even that one big holiday abroad — it's easy to see how the total swells.
Goel pointed out, "Education inflation in India has been around 10–12% annually," which means these numbers won't stay still. For many young couples, the fear is that by the time their child enters school or college, the bills could be much worse.
A child used to be seen as the natural next step. Today, it's starting to look like a luxury. Some couples are rethinking plans altogether. Others are pushing parenthood down the line. Many say money is now as big a factor as love.
Goel summed up the new fear: "Finance is a real fear when it comes to family planning. Are you also planning to have a kid in 2025 and feeling the money pressure?"
For young families, the message is clear — budget early, plan ahead and save smart. But for many, even that feels like a tall order. The price of a dream is high. And more young Indians are now asking themselves — can we afford it?