Raising two children in Switzerland will cost half a million!
Even before a child is born, many parents spend several thousand francs without hesitation on newborn clothes, a stroller, and a car seat, so that the baby gets the best when entering this world. However, as noted by the portal Swissinfo.ch, even without extravagance and buying only the essentials, raising a child in Switzerland is expensive. How much exactly?
What does it cost to support one child in Switzerland?
As far as we know, there are two official studies on this issue. The first, straightforwardly titled "Cost of Children in Switzerland," was conducted by the Federal Statistical Office in 2009. Its authors calculated that the average cost of a child growing up in a two-parent family is 819 francs per month. For two children, this amount is 1,310 francs; and if there are three siblings, it rises to 1,583 francs for all three children.
There is also a more detailed, annually updated study by the Department of Youth in Zurich, which many cantons use as a reference, especially when calculating child support. It shows higher figures: direct costs for one child are estimated at 1,200 to 1,800 francs per month, depending on age.
To meet the basic needs of a ten-year-old child, parents must spend about 1,500 francs per month or 18,000 francs per year. The largest expense items are housing (560 francs per month), food (340 francs), and leisure (300 francs).
The arrival of a second and third child allows significant savings on the scale of these expenses (10 to 40% depending on the situation). Nevertheless, for a couple with two children – the most common family model in Switzerland – total costs still amount to 2,500 francs per month or 30,000 francs per year. Multiplying this amount by 18 years, the age of majority in Switzerland, the "cost" of raising a child reaches 540,000 francs.
What else should be considered?
The calculations of the Zurich Youth Department do not include the main cost item: childcare expenses. According to an OECD study, Swiss daycare centers are among the most expensive in the world. Monthly daycare fees, assuming the child attends only three days a week, can range from 1,000 to 2,000 francs.
Added to these direct costs are indirect expenses. The arrival of a child is usually accompanied by a sharp drop in the professional activity of one parent and, consequently, family income. In Switzerland, this phenomenon mainly affects women: half of mothers work less than 50%. The consequences are felt even after children grow up and start living independently: time devoted to motherhood often has a negative impact on a woman's subsequent professional career.
However, parents are helped by a range of state benefits: family allowances (minimum 200 francs per month per child), maternity leave, tax deductions (depending on the canton), or reduced health insurance premiums for low-income families.
Are these costs the same for all families?
No, because many factors influence expenses: parents' income, their lifestyle choices, type of housing, place of residence, or proximity to grandparents. Raising a child in rural areas is cheaper than in the city: rent is lower, and social and family ties are generally broader, which helps reduce childcare costs – a good neighbor or relative might babysit for free.
Children as a factor leading to poverty?
Yes, and this especially concerns parents raising children alone. Like elderly people living alone, this category of the population is most at risk of poverty: one in six single-parent families in Switzerland is in a difficult financial situation. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the poverty rate or risk of poverty is also higher in families with three or more children than in the general population.
Overall, Switzerland is not considered a country that is family- and child-friendly. Quite the opposite, in fact. A UNICEF study published in June 2019 even ranked the Confederation last out of 31 countries in terms of family policy. The reasons for this are particularly related to the low duration of paid parental leave and the limited number of places in daycare centers and kindergartens for children under 6.
Samuel JABER.
Translation by Lyudmila KLOT.