In October, the Childcare Basket increased by 4%, surpassing the inflation rate of 2.7%, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC). This means that to support a child under one year old, $388,184 was required, compared to $141,320 needed in the same month of 2023. The calculation for children aged one to three years was $460,220, for those aged four to five years was $381,230, and for those aged six to 12 years, $479,723 was needed.
The indicator measures the monthly costs of essential goods and services for the protection of early childhood, childhood, and adolescence, as well as the cost of care in hours required for each age group. It considers the cost of food, clothing, transportation, education, health, and housing, among other essential services.
The Childcare Index is crucial for addressing the issues affecting more than 1 million households headed by women who do not receive child support on time in Argentina. These households host almost 2 million minors under 18 years old. INDEC seeks for the Judiciary to use this index as a reference in disputes over child support.
In October, the monthly cost of goods and services was $111,749 for those under one year old, $144,294 for children aged one to three years, $183,776 for those aged four to five years, and $227,975 for those aged six to 12 years. On the other hand, the cost of care was $276,435, $315,926, $197,454, and $251,748, respectively. Therefore, raising a child up to 12 years old totaled a cost of $388,184 for children under one year, $460,220 for those aged one to three years, $381,230 for those aged four to five years, and $479,723 for those aged six to 12 years.
Since July 2023, INDEC has been reporting the Childcare Index monthly, by instruction of former Economy Minister Sergio Massa. This index provides a reference value for understanding how much families allocate for feeding, clothing, providing housing, transporting, and caring for children and adolescents in Argentina.
