Family spending on children in Canada

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Release date: September 29, 2023

Infographic: Family spending on children in Canada — Description: Family spending on children in Canada

In Canada, middle-income families^{Note 1} with two parents and two children spent an average of $293,000 on a child from birth to 17 years of age, based on data from 2014 to 2017.^{Note 2}

Total expenditures per child, from birth to 17 years of age
Table summary
This table displays the results of Total expenditures per child 2017 constant dollars (appearing as column headers).
2017 constant dollars

Two-parent family with two children Lower income group 238,190

Middle income group 293,000

Higher income group 403,910

One-parent family with two children Lower income group 231,260

Middle-high income group 372,110

When children aged 18 to 22 still living in the household were added, total expenditures per child were $68,000 to $117,000 more than the total expenditures on a child from birth through age 17, depending on family size and income group.

Depending on family size and income group, expenditures per child were…

**20% to 38% higher** in a two-parent family with **one child**

**8% to 15% lower** in a two-parent family with **three children**

…than in a two-parent family with two children.

Percentage of expenditures per child, middle-income families with two parents and two children, by expenditure category^{Percentage of expenditures per child, middle-income families with two parents and two children, by expenditure category3 Note 3}
Table summary
This table displays the results of Percentage of expenditures per child percent (appearing as column headers).
percent

Housing 29

Transportation 20

Food 17

Child care and education 14

Miscellaneous 10

Clothing 7

Health care 4

**Source:** Duncan, K.A., K. Frank and A. Guèvremont, 2023, “Estimating expenditures on children by families in Canada, 2014 to 2017,” *Analytical Studies Branch Research Paper Series, no. 473,* Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 11F0019M.

Notes

Footnote 1.

The household income groups for two-parent families are as follows: lower income group (less than $83,013); middle income group (between $83,013 and $135,790); higher income group (over $135,790), while the groups for one-parent families are as follows: lower income group (less than $83,013) and middle-high income group ($83,013 and over).

Return to note 1 referrer

Footnote 2.

Data are based on a modelling exercise using pooled data from the Survey of Household Spending for the years 2014 to 2017.

Return to note 2 referrer

Footnote 3.

The percentages for the expenditure categories are based on total expenditures from birth to 22 years of age, and do not add up to 100% due to rounding.

Return to note 3 referrer

Total expenditures per child, from birth to 17 years of age
Table summary
This table displays the results of Total expenditures per child 2017 constant dollars (appearing as column headers).
	2017 constant dollars
Two-parent family with two children	Lower income group	238,190
Middle income group	293,000
Higher income group	403,910
One-parent family with two children	Lower income group	231,260
Middle-high income group	372,110

Percentage of expenditures per child, middle-income families with two parents and two children, by expenditure category^{Percentage of expenditures per child, middle-income families with two parents and two children, by expenditure category3 Note 3}
Table summary
This table displays the results of Percentage of expenditures per child percent (appearing as column headers).
	percent
Housing	29
Transportation	20
Food	17
Child care and education	14
Miscellaneous	10
Clothing	7
Health care	4

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

Date modified:: 2023-09-29

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Family spending on children in Canada

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