Life in Italy comes at a certain cost, and usually brings to mind a budget for adult pleasures like homes, holidays, food and wine. But how much does it cost to be a baby in Italy?
The Italian consumer agency, L'Osservatorio Nazionale Federconsumatori, has calculated exactly how much of an impact welcoming a newborn into the world will have on the family budget. They found that the first year of an Italian baby’s life will cost parents between € 6,119 and € 13,486.
The astronomical figure for the tiny family addition takes the cost of all baby products into account. The new figures suggest that there has been a 5% increase on what Italian parents are shelling out for cribs, strollers, car seats, bottles and diapers since 2010.
The high cost of having a new baby in Italy also includes childcare. 3 out of 10 families can still rely on grandparents to watch the children while mom and dad are at work, but most others hire babysitters (€ 8-9/hr) to watch the little ones. Parents are also paying more for Pediatrician home visits rather than waiting at public healthcare facilities.
The clear financial burden of bouncing bambini could help explain why Italy has one of the lowest birthrates in the world.
