If it hasn't sink in yet, babies are expensive. So, don't be surprised if younger generations are holding out and opting to adopt puppies instead of having kids. Here are the numbers to prove it.
According to Picodi.com, an international e-commerce platform, a typical Filipino family would need a minimum of Php108,300 to cover the expenses of a baby — and that’s just during pregnancy and the kid’s first year of life. This doesn’t even account for other expenses, like the actual baby delivery (which could easily cost around Php100,000) and worse — college tuition.
The Picodi analysis team put together a basic shopping list with everything a tiny human might need, and the necessities could cost you P108,300 to P157,600, for the expanded kit. Who knew babies — that mainly just poop, gurgle, and fart — could need so much stuff?
We’re talking about baby clothes, baby bottles, baby care products — baby everything. The also includes pregnancy wardrobe update and hospital delivery bag, home adjustments for the arrival of the baby and gear essentials. It also covers baby's food, if a mom breastfed exclusively for the first six months.
You need at least Php108,000 for the basic necessities or Php157, 600 for an expanded kit to cover pregnancy and first-year baby essentials.PHOTO BY Picodi.comThe average Filipino’s net wage is around P15,380 — that’s a seventh of the cost of baby necessities. That means it would take more than seven salaries for an average Filipino to afford having a kid in this economy.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWMeanwhile in the U.S., Australia, and Ireland, it would only take one month’s salary to cover the standard cost of baby goods in their respective countries. Parents in Mexico and Brazil might empathize with Filipino parents as it would take them six salaries and five salaries, respectively, to cover a child.
A FIlipino couple need seven times an average monthly salary of P15,380 for pregnancy and baby's first year.PHOTO BY Picodi.comCONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowWith that said, no one would blame you if a person is content to play favorite tita/tito or just adopt a puppy until you and your partner are ready to have a child. Don't rush. Spend some time getting to know each other. But remember that no one is fully ready to have a child, and being ready isn't always about having money for it.
Every baby is a blessing, and many couples believe that provision arrives when they most need it. No amount of money can replace the happiness of holding your baby for the first time and watching your little one grow up.
This story originally appeared on Esquiremag.ph.
*Edits have been made by the SmartParenting.com.ph editors.
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