Ireland Is The 3rd Most Expensive Country To Raise A Child In Europe
Colin Maynard
Ireland Is The 3rd Most Expensive Country To Raise A Child In Europe
Text: Izzy Copestake
Ireland got a score of 22/100
A recent study by Ubuy has revealed that Ireland ranks as the third most expensive country for families to raise a child in Europe. Switzerland ranked the 1st most expensive and the UK ranked 2nd, while Slovakia was the least expensive and Luxembourg was the 2nd least expensive. The study assessed 31 European nations, scoring each on factors such as maternity and paternity leave policies, childcare costs, and the financial benefits provided to parents. Ireland’s overall score of 22 out of 100 places it near the bottom of the list, just slightly ahead of the United Kingdom, which scored 21.
A key factor contributing to Ireland’s low ranking were is its parental leave policies. In Ireland, new mothers receive 26 weeks of maternity leave paid at an average of 23.6% of their earnings, with an additional 7 weeks of home care leave at the same rate. For new fathers, there are only 2 weeks of paternity leave, at 23.6% pay, and a further 7 weeks of home care leave available under the same conditions. By comparison, countries like Spain offer 16 weeks of paternity leave at 100% pay, while France provides 4.2 weeks at full pay plus an extra 26 weeks at a lower rate.
Childcare costs are also a major issue. Before factoring in deductions and benefits, childcare expenses amount to 38% of the average income. Although there is a 7% reduction through various government schemes, families are still left spending around 31% of their earnings on childcare. The average monthly cost for childcare stands at €960.82, ranking as the fifth highest among the countries evaluated.
Ireland’s family benefits are also less generous compared to other nations. Both single and two-parent families in Ireland can access only about 7.1% of their average earnings in benefits. Meanwhile, in countries such as Poland, single-parent families can receive up to 36.5% of the average income as support.
Ireland’s ranking of 22 out of 100 is driven by limited parental leave, high childcare costs, and a lack of family benefits. This study has highlighted the significant financial burden faced by families compared to other European nations.
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