Parenting or Privilege? Why Raising a Child in India Is Sky Rocketing

Image Source : India Today

In a country where family has long been considered the cornerstone of life, a new financial reality is reshaping how young Indians think about parenthood. A recent viral post by Bengaluru-based startup founder Meenal Goel has sparked national debate by laying bare the true cost of raising a child in urban India in 2025. Her breakdown, which estimates the total expense at nearly Rs 45 lakh, is prompting many couples to pause and reconsider whether they can afford to start a family at all.

Here’s a detailed look at the numbers, the pressure points, and what this means for India’s middle class.

Key Cost Milestones from Birth to College

- Delivery and hospital expenses: Rs 1.5 to 2.5 lakh
- Vaccinations in early years: Rs 30,000 to 50,000
- Baby essentials (gear, food, diapers): Rs 3 lakh
- Playschool and daycare: Rs 2.5 lakh
- Total by age 5: Rs 7 to 8 lakh

- Schooling years (age 6–17):
- School fees: Rs 12 lakh
- Tuition and coaching: Rs 3 lakh
- Gadgets, uniforms, books, activities: Rs 2 lakh
- Total for school phase: Rs 17 lakh

- Higher education (age 18–22):
- Private college tuition: Rs 10 lakh
- Hostel, food, and living costs: Rs 3 lakh
- Total for college: Rs 13 lakh

- Grand total: Rs 38 to 45 lakh to raise one child in a middle-class urban household

Why Young Couples Are Rethinking Parenthood

- Education inflation is running at 10 to 12 percent annually, making future costs even harder to predict
- Urban families in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru face steeper expenses due to private school fees, healthcare, and childcare
- Working parents often spend an additional Rs 20,000 per month on daycare, domestic help, and after-school programs
- Lifestyle expectations—such as branded clothing, tech gadgets, birthday parties, and even international travel—add to the pressure

The Emotional Cost of Financial Planning

For many millennials and Gen Z couples, the decision to have children is no longer just emotional—it’s deeply financial. Goel’s post reflects a growing sentiment: that parenting, once considered a natural life stage, is now a luxury that requires careful budgeting and long-term planning.

Some couples are delaying or opting out of parenthood altogether, citing the fear of not being able to provide a stable, fulfilling life for their child. Others are exploring alternative paths, such as dual-income-no-kids (DINK) lifestyles or investing in financial independence before starting a family.

What This Means for India’s Future

- The rising cost of child-rearing could contribute to a declining birth rate in urban India
- It may also widen the gap between those who can afford private education and healthcare and those who cannot
- Policymakers may need to consider tax incentives, subsidized childcare, or education reforms to ease the burden on young families

As the cost of living continues to climb, the question facing many young Indians is no longer when to have children—but whether they can afford to at all.

Sources: India Today, Economic Times, Business Today, MSN India, Meenal Goel (LinkedIn)