The average monthly cost of raising a child in Japan has reached a record high of ¥41,320, according to a survey conducted by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co. This represents an increase of ¥1,187 from the previous year. The survey also revealed that 60% of respondents expressed concerns about the impact of rising prices on education.
Of those surveyed, 88.7% said they felt the financial burden associated with raising children, which is a decrease of 2.7 percentage points compared to the previous year. The most common expenses cited as burdensome were food (45%), nursery/kindergarten fees (40.2%), and the cost of extracurricular activities (36.8%).
Respondents also highlighted several negative effects resulting from rising prices, including educational inequality (22.7%), difficulties in pursuing further education (19%), and reduced participation in extracurricular activities (17.9%).
Interestingly, when asked about their ideal number of children, respondents indicated an average preference for 2.51 children per family; however, only 62.6% reported having their desired number.
The survey was conducted online and targeted married individuals with children aged six or younger. A total of 1,100 people participated in the survey.
These findings shed light on the increasing financial strain faced by families in Japan when it comes to raising children and highlight concerns regarding access to quality education amidst rising costs.