It’s a question a lot of people are quietly asking themselves: can we actually afford kids anymore?
The cost of living keeps climbing, childcare isn’t getting any cheaper, and home ownership feels like a far-off dream. It’s little wonder so many couples are putting family plans on pause.
UK birth rates are now at their lowest on record, and the cost of raising a child has never been higher. The Child Poverty Action Group’s 2025 report puts the total at around £250,000 for a couple and £290,000 for a single parent. That’s before you’ve even factored in the endless extras – clothes, clubs, school trips, or a helping hand from relatives that some people just don’t have.
So, it’s hardly surprising that more people are deciding the numbers simply don’t add up. Surveys show that affordability has become one of the biggest factors in whether couples choose to start or grow their family.
It’s not just would-be parents who feel the pinch either. Many people who already have one child say they’ve shelved plans for another because it’s just too expensive. Meanwhile, ONS data shows that one in five women in England and Wales reaches 45 without children, often due to life circumstances rather than choice.
Let’s look at what’s driving this change.
The price of getting started: education and work
Getting a career off the ground has never been easy, but it’s even tougher when you start out in debt.
In England, the average student leaves university owing around £53,000, and around 94% graduate with outstanding loans. Those numbers would make anyone think twice before taking on more financial responsibility.
Fifteen months after finishing university, the median graduate salary sits at roughly £29,000, but that hides a big gap. Some new graduates earn less than £20,000, while those in high-paying industries like finance or tech can start closer to £80,000. The graduate unemployment rate is about 6%, meaning not everyone finds work straight away.
It’s no surprise then that many people put off starting a family until they’ve paid down some debt or landed a more stable job.
The cost of living squeeze
Everything costs more than it used to, from food to rent to that Friday takeaway. CPI inflation stood at 3.8% in September 2025, easing from 2022’s double-digit highs but still eating into pay packets.
Many homeowners who locked into low mortgage rates are now facing hundreds of pounds extra a month as new deals roll in. Some who were finally ready to start a family have had to press pause just to keep up with repayments.
Renters aren’t faring much better. Average rents across the UK are up over 8% year-on-year, leaving little room for saving, let alone the extra costs that come with children..
Unstable housing and job security
Even before you think about nappies, there’s the matter of where you’ll live.
Since 2020, average UK house prices have climbed by around 24%, while wages have barely moved. For many, the dream of home ownership still feels out of reach, and even those who manage to buy face higher rates and tighter budgets.
Renting doesn’t guarantee stability either. Landlords selling up, rent hikes, and short notice periods can make it hard to plan ahead. It’s not easy to picture family life when you don’t know where you’ll be living in six months.
The job market hasn’t helped confidence either. Whole sectors, from tech to retail and hospitality, have seen major layoffs through 2024 and 2025. Big household names like The Body Shop and Wilko disappearing from the high street have only added to that sense of uncertainty.
When your job feels shaky, the idea of adding another mouth to feed can be terrifying.
Childcare: the dealbreaker for many families
Ask any parent about their biggest expense and you’ll hear the same thing: childcare.
The Coram Family and Childcare Survey 2025 found the average cost of a part-time nursery place for a child under two is £158 a week, about £8,200 a year. That’s for just 25 hours a week. Full-time care can cost double.
The government’s expansion of funded childcare hours has helped some parents, but it’s far from a perfect fix. Places are scarce, waiting lists are long, and staff shortages mean many nurseries are struggling to stay open.
A 2025 study by Pregnant Then Screwed found that nearly half of parents have gone into debt or dipped into savings to cover childcare. For some, it simply doesn’t make financial sense to go back to work.
Women, in particular, still carry most of the childcare load. Stepping away from work for a few years often means missing out on promotions and pay rises, making the decision to start a family even harder.
Trying to plan for a family amid financial pressure
For a lot of people, it’s not that they don’t want children, it’s that they can’t see how to make it work. Student debt, rent rises, childcare costs, and job insecurity all pile up into one difficult equation.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but there are ways to get back in control. Reviewing your finances, getting debt advice, and planning ahead can make a huge difference to how prepared you feel for the future.
Our advisers speak to people every day who are trying to balance long-term goals with short-term pressures. Whether you’re paying off debt, saving for a home, or just trying to get a clearer picture of your finances, we can help you find a plan that works for you.
Give My Debt Plan a call on 0161 660 0411 or send a message. We’ll listen, talk through your situation, and help you move forward with confidence.
