Advertisement for the Bank "Bigbank": If you want to have sex, take your money to the bank and save it: they calculated how much it costs to raise a child in Lithuania - such amounts are surprising.

You won't get away with collecting bottles on the roadside, selling them and buying condoms. Condoms break after all. Everything is expensive in Lithuania now. Don't even think about not having savings in a bank. Of course, we can burden childless people with high taxes, and give the collected money to families with children. Then childless people would have fewer vacations in warm countries, but guaranteed pensions collected from the salaries of those additional children. However, it would be a loss for the bank. And we are ruled here by banks and politicians who lick their plates (Your Excellency Nausėda, is that you?). Let's read what the banker says:

 

“The cost of raising a child does not consist solely of diapers, clothes or school supplies. A large part of it consists of additional living space, food, care, clubs and technology. Bigbank's calculations show that in 2026 prices, the costs of the first child, excluding one-time purchases, by the age of majority may reach about 89-111 thousand euros, and the second - about 75-93 thousand euros, the bank said in a press release.

 

The amount grows with the child

 

Based on the education fees provided by municipalities, the average prices of food, clothes and housing and the Numbeo database, in the first four years of life, one child should expect to spend about 5.1 thousand euros per year in Vilnius and 4.2 thousand euros elsewhere in Lithuania.

 

In the period of 4-7 years, the amount increases to about 5.6 thousand and 4.4 thousand euros. euros, between 8 and 12 years old – up to 6.1 thousand and 4.9 thousand euros, and in adolescence – up to 7.5 thousand euros in the capital and 6 thousand euros in other cities and regions of the country. The main differences in costs between cities are determined by higher housing, food and leisure costs in the capital.

 

“Expenses for diapers and milk formulas later turn into expenses for clubs, camps, technologies and more complex needs,” says Rolandas Norvilas, head of the bank’s Lithuanian branch.

 

Among the largest permanent expenses when raising a child are expenses for food, clothing and footwear, but other categories also make up a significant part of the family budget.

 

Housing. An additional room and higher utility bills increase family expenses by an average of 110–150 euros per month. If a family has to rent or buy a larger apartment because of a child, especially in Vilnius, the actual costs can be significantly higher. Even without moving, children's furniture, storage space, and other adaptations to the home are needed.

 

Care and education. The cost of a public kindergarten in 2026 is usually around 80–100 euros per month, depending on the municipality, days attended, and meals. For example, in Vilnius, the monthly education fee is 26 euros, and three meals a day cost 2.90–3.40 euros per day attended. Later, the kindergarten fee is replaced by school lunches, exercises, and other educational expenses. Families who choose private education spend even more.

 

Leisure. One group usually costs around 30–60 euros per month, although part of the amount may be covered by the non-formal education basket.

 

“In addition to everyday expenses, parents also face larger one-time purchases that can significantly affect the family budget if they are not prepared in advance: a baby stroller, a crib, a mattress, a car seat. Later, every few years, you have to buy a new phone or a computer suitable for school,” says R. Norvilas.

 

Why is raising a second child cheaper?

 

There is no need to buy everything again for a second child. The family can use the same stroller, crib, some clothes, toys, books, sports equipment and other items. The need for a larger home or car also does not always double. Therefore, it can be assumed that the costs for a second child up to four years old are about 25 percent lower, for a child aged 4–7 years old – 20 percent, for a child aged 8–12 years old – 15 percent, and for a teenager – 10 percent.

 

However, food, kindergarten or camp fees, medicines, tickets, clubs and often technology are purchased separately for each child. Saving is also more difficult when the age difference between children is large, their needs are very different or previously used items are no longer suitable.

 

Under these assumptions, a second child by the age of majority would cost about 92.9 thousand euros in Vilnius and 74.6 thousand euros elsewhere in Lithuania – about 16 percent less than the first.

 

Financial security is important, but money alone will not be enough

 

The topic of expenses is particularly sensitive with the worsening demographic situation. According to official data, in 2025, about 17.5 thousand babies were born in Lithuania – about 8.4 percent less than in 2024. The total fertility rate decreased from 1.11 to 1.04 children per woman and remains more than half the replacement rate of about 2.1.

 

"Financial stability, housing conditions and the ability to combine work and family life are all extremely important. Therefore, the state should do everything it can to reduce the negative impact of economic factors on the birth rate," says the bank's chief economist  Raul Eamets.

 

According to the economist, financial factors are especially important when a family is considering another child. However, the demographic problem cannot be narrowed down to a single benefit or tax break.

 

Having understood the true scale of the costs, it is important for parents themselves to prepare for them in advance. Financial planning does not help to put parenthood into a framework, but to reduce stress and ensure a stronger start in life for the child.

 

For long-term savings, for example, for a child's studies, you can choose ETFs, for an extremely long period - pillar III pension funds. For planned larger purchases, a term deposit is suitable, and for a financial reserve - a savings deposit.

 

"Of course, money is not everything - cultural values ​​​​are also of great importance. There is no one magic economic measure that would solve all demographic problems, but as many as possible should be tried," - R. Eamets summarizes the links between the demographic and economic situation."