Raising a child in today’s economy isn’t just about love, care, and dreams. It’s more about smart planning and careful budgeting. Even before the baby is born, mamma and papa are already thinking ahead, carefully categorizing their everyday savings to secure their child’s future.As the cost of raising babies into full fledged adults continues to climb, many couples are hitting a pause button on parenthood and embracing the DINK — Double Income, No Kids — lifestyle. Once viewed largely as a Western trend, the DINK concept has now entered everyday vocabulary and is gaining ground in India, with a growing number of couples choosing to remain child-free.

Driving this shift is a mix of financial realities, emotional considerations and environmental concerns that is steadily reshaping how modern couples approach the idea of parenthood.

Why are so many couples choosing not to have children?

A world too harsh For many, the decision not to have children is shaped by the harsh realities of the world. “The air is terrible and life already feels quite demanding,” Nimish Rastogi, an entrepreneur, told TOI. A video journalist working in Delhi raised similar concerns and said, “resources are depleting, everything is only going to get costlier, and institutions are in decline. For months in Delhi-NCR, we can’t even breathe because of pollution, and the rest of the year, we’re dying from the heat. How do you raise a child in a world like this?”Balancing kid and work — Herculean job!For many working couples, raising a child can feel like an almost impossible balancing act. “Juggling work, home and a child can be taxing, and realistically you need a certain level of financial comfort to afford the kind of support that lets you enjoy everything without compromising too much on your own interests and lifestyle,” Nimish said. Anurag Kumar, assistant editor, added that the decision is also influenced by daily time and work pressure as “managing day-to-day work while keeping the household running is already demanding.”

Family plays a roleFor many, raising a child without strong family support feels overwhelming. “Unless there is strong support from family, raising a child on your own can feel almost impossible to balance,” Anurag said. Others find the idea of constant oversight intrusive. “Having a whole proverbial village breathing down my neck is not good for my mental health,” explained the video journalist, who did not wish to be named, that the concept clashes with the life they currently have.Personal preferencesFor many couples, maintaining personal freedom and lifestyle balance plays a key role in the decision to remain child-free. “We genuinely like having our freedom…right now, this kind of lifestyle feels fulfilling and balanced for us,” Nimish added. Anurag summed it up, saying, “The choice to have a child ultimately depends on the couple, their vision for life, where they stand at present, and how they see their future unfolding.”Education — a costly affairFor many, the decision not to have children is increasingly driven by practical considerations, citing the rising costs of childcare, schooling, healthcare, and housing becoming hard to ignore. “I went to a Catholic convent school for my schooling and my quarterly tuition fees was Rs 1800. Quarterly! What do you get for Rs 1800 today?” the video journalist told TOI. “In a volatile economy, anything can happen. I lost my job during COVID-19 for four months. Imagine if I had a child in school then — it would have been even harder,” she further added, throwing light on how unpredictable costs and economic uncertainty make the decision to have children a major financial consideration.Nimish added, “Education is so expensive now, healthcare costs are rising, and even basic things like good schools, extracurricular activities, childcare and daily expenses add up quickly.” For some, however, finances are only part of the equation. As Anurag said, “Finances are definitely a factor, but not the decisive one.”

How much does it actually cost to raise a child?

Raising a child from conception until the age of 21 costs an estimated Rs 74.3 lakh — and that’s without factoring in inflation.Rohit Saran explains in his book ‘100 Ways to See India: Stats, Stories, and Surprises’ that the total expense rises to approximately Rs 1.16 crore when adjusted for a 3% annual inflation rate. At a 6% inflation rate, the figure climbs even higher, reaching nearly Rs 1.83 crore. Couples today often find themselves stuck between two equally important dreams. Imagine you’ve finally saved up Rs 25–30 lakh for the down payment on a bigger 3BHK in a better neighbourhood, closer to work, with more space and security. But at the same time, you know that sending your child abroad for a master’s degree could easily cost Rs 40–60 lakh.So the question becomes real: do you upgrade your living standard now, or park that money in a fund that might one day pay for tuition fees in London or New York? For many families, these aren’t hypothetical situations — they’re monthly conversations at the dining table. A government official shared, “I’ve started a Voluntary Provident Fund for my daughter so that over the years, enough money will build up for her higher studies, learning new skills, or even starting her own business. I want her to have the freedom to chase her dreams without financial limits.” These decisions aren’t just about lump sums, they trickle down into everyday spending, shaping how families allocate resources across different categories. From education and housing to entertainment, clothing, food, transportation, and healthcare, every rupee is carefully planned to balance current needs with long-term goals.

Raising a child goes beyond planned savings, their needs often reshape how families earn, spend, and prioritize money. Vacations, lifestyle upgrades, and even retirement plans are adjusted to give children the best opportunities. As a parent shared, “Sacrifice is part of being a parent. When you know your child needs a high-end laptop to study comfortably, you don’t dwell on your slow phone or the winter vacation you had planned, it’s not even a question.” Meanwhile, Swasti Choudhary, mother of a 2 year old, explained, “having both parents earning definitely makes a big difference. When I found out I was pregnant, my husband and I created a full budget plan. With both of us earning, the risk from sudden financial emergencies is much lower. That said, it comes with challenges. We constantly ensure that both of us are present for our son. Leaving our jobs isn’t an option — it would be a major setback for the family.”

Spending on kids — A bigger picture

EducationEducation alone accounts for more than half of the total cost of raising a child. At least 59% of overall childcare expenses are directed towards education. Think about it — school admissions, annual fees, uniforms, books, private coaching…year after year, these costs quietly add up, keeping parents on their toes and always planning the next step. And careful planning doesn’t end the moment their kids graduate — it continues with competitive exams, skill-building classes, technology needs, and even the possibility of studying abroad. Of all the expenses parents manage, education consistently emerges as the largest and most demanding category.HousingAbout 10% of child-rearing expenses go towards housing, as many parents upgrade to larger homes in safer, better-connected neighbourhoods. A government officer shared that he moved to a bigger flat before his daughter was born to ensure a child-friendly environment. “Moreover, since my job requires frequent transfers, I’m planning to settle my family near the NCR so she has access to all the major educational institutions and can choose freely. It will be expensive, yes, but it’s a financially sustainable decision that will benefit in the long run,” he further added.Entertainment Nearly 9% of the total child-rearing cost goes towards entertainment — and this share tends to rise sharply during the teenage years. What begins as spending on toys and birthday parties in early childhood gradually shifts to bigger expenses like smartphones, laptops, hobby classes, sports coaching, movie outings, and holidays with friends. For instance, a simple 16th birthday celebration at a cafe, combined with gifts and decorations, can easily cost Rs 25,000–40,000. Add in a new phone for school and social use, music or dance classes, and a yearly trip with friends, and entertainment quickly turns into a regular and often overlooked expense.ClothingClothing alone accounts for around 6% of the total cost of raising a child, reflecting the need to regularly replace everyday wear, school uniforms, shoes, and seasonal outfits as children grow.

Education: the biggest slice of family expenses

According to the CMS Education Survey, part of the 80th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS) 2025, households across India are spending significantly on school education. Government vs private schooling: A sharp cost divideGovernment schools still enroll most students in India — 55.9% nationwide, 66% in rural areas, and 30% in cities. But the cost of education varies widely. Households spent an average of Rs 2,863 per student on school education in government schools, while spending in non-government schools cost nine times more, at Rs 25,002. Course fees are the biggest expense, with urban families paying Rs 15,143 and rural families Rs 3,979 on average. Textbooks, stationery, uniforms, and transport add further costs, showing that “free” education often still comes with a price.Coaching and tuition cultureBeyond school fees, private coaching and tuition are emerging as parallel expenses. Nearly 27% of students nationwide are enrolled in private coaching — 30.7% in urban areas and 25.5% in rural regions.Urban families spend an average of Rs 3,988 annually on coaching per student, compared to Rs 1,793 in rural areas. At the higher secondary level, the gap widens sharply — Rs 9,950 in urban India versus Rs 4,548 in rural areas. Nationally, coaching costs rise with grade levels, from Rs 525 at pre-primary to Rs 6,384 at higher secondary.Study abroadAccording to a report by HSBC titled Quality of Life Report 2024, 90% of affluent Indian parents intend to fund their child’s overseas education. However, the cost of a three- or four-year international degree in destinations like the US or UK could consume up to 64% of parents’ retirement savings .The report also notes that 40% of parents expect their children to take student loans, 51% hope for scholarships and 27% would consider selling assets to fund overseas studies .

Fur babies over babies: A growing DINK trend

As more couples rethink what a “perfect” family means to them, many are opting for pets instead of children. For these couples, the choice is both practical and personal — offering companionship without the financial and lifestyle pressures that come with raising a child.With the rising costs of raising children, pets, particularly dogs, are increasingly viewed as a more manageable and predictable responsibility. “Once you get a dog and it’s healthy, you have a fairly fixed cost for its lifetime. Sure, you buy toys or treats, but that’s it. A child? The costs just keep growing. It never stops. Everything is so expensive!” the video journalist told TOI.While more couples are embracing the DINK lifestyle, broader social expectations still lean toward parenthood. Anurag said, “Most of my married friends are planning or already having children. I’m the only one who chose to have a dog instead.”“Among our friends, some have children, but I’ve noticed a growing number of couples choosing pets or delaying plans for kids. People are thinking more consciously about the life they want rather than just following the traditional path,” Nimish added, further sharing the flexibility that pets offer over having kids. “We genuinely value our freedom. We love travelling, making spontaneous plans, and spending time with friends and our dogs, who are basically our babies. For us, this lifestyle feels fulfilling and balanced right now.”