Child-Rearing Costs Rose 60 Percent Since 2018
New research from the Atlanta Fed highlights how rising expenses and shifting family preferences are impacting birth rates.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Child Care
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The cost of raising children has climbed 60% over the past eight years, with childcare expenses serving as the primary driver. A report published by the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank suggests these financial pressures, alongside changing personal preferences, have contributed to shifting birth rate trends across the United States.
Why it matters
Rising child-rearing costs and limited social support are increasingly shaping family logistics and long-term financial planning for households. These economic factors now play a major role in how families evaluate the feasibility of expanding their households.
Child-rearing costs have surged 60% over the last eight years. Researchers from the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank analyzed National Survey of Family Growth data to connect these economic pressures with declining birth rates.
The players
Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank
A regional branch of the central banking system of the United States that produces research on national economic trends affecting households.
The details
Researchers utilized data from the National Survey of Family Growth to examine the intersection of financial, biological, and societal barriers to child-rearing. The study highlights that childcare costs have become the central driver of household expenditure growth, while also documenting an increase in medical difficulties conceiving among women. These findings suggest that families are navigating a complex landscape involving both rising expenses and increasing infertility rates.
Timeline
Over the past eight years, the cost of raising children grew by 60%.
The Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank published its findings on Sept. 30, 2026.
The Home Front
This research builds on existing work from the Center for Human Capital Studies regarding the intersection of household economics and demographics. It highlights a departure from historical norms as rising ownership and care costs significantly impact family-planning decisions.
Review your household budget to account for the long-term impact of rising childcare costs when planning for family growth. Consult with a qualified financial advisor to understand how these shifting national economic trends may influence your specific financial landscape.
The takeaway
Economic shifts and medical hurdles are creating new challenges for families planning their futures. Homeowners should track childcare costs closely when forecasting their long-term expenses and financial stability.
Further reading
Find more resources on balancing family expenses and planning at Child Care.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Quartz.
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Do you believe the rising cost of childcare is the primary barrier to starting a family?
