The Real Cost of Raising a Child in Singapore (0–24 Years Old)

Raising a child in Singapore is one of the most rewarding journeys a parent can take — but it also comes with financial responsibilities that stretch over two decades. From diapers to university, every stage of a child’s life brings new needs and new expenses.

Here’s a 50-item checklist of the costs involved in raising a child from 0 to 24 years old in Singapore.

Stage 1: Early Childhood (0–6 years)

#	Expense Item	Description	Estimated Cost Range (SGD)
1	Delivery & hospital bills	Cost of giving birth.	3,000 – 20,000+
2	Confinement nanny	Postnatal home support.	3,000 – 4,000 per month
3	Infant formula	If not fully breastfeeding.	150 – 250 per month
4	Diapers	Newborn to toddler stage.	50 – 100 per month
5	Baby clothes	First 2–3 years.	500 – 1,000 annually
6	Baby cot & mattress	One-time purchase.	300 – 800
7	Stroller & car seat	One-time essentials.	500 – 1,500
8	Breast pump & feeding accessories	For working mums.	300 – 800
9	Vaccinations (non-subsidised)	Additional vaccines beyond MOH programme.	500 – 1,200
10	Paediatric visits	Regular health check-ups.	50 – 200 per visit
11	Infant/childcare (infant care)	2–18 months.	1,000 – 1,500 monthly (before subsidies)
12	Childcare (18m – 6 years)	Full-day childcare.	700 – 1,200 monthly (before subsidies)
13	Enrichment (playgroup, music)	Baby gym, music, speech.	100 – 300 monthly
14	Birthday parties	Small celebrations.	200 – 1,000 annually
15	Family holidays	Kid-friendly trips.	2,000 – 5,000 annually

Stage 2: Primary School (7–12 years)

#	Expense Item	Description	Estimated Cost Range (SGD)
16	School uniforms & shoes	Required for all schools.	150 – 300 annually
17	School textbooks & supplies	Stationery, assessment books.	200 – 400 annually
18	Transport (school bus)	Daily commute.	80 – 120 monthly
19	School fees (Govt/Neighbourhood)	Local primary school fees.	13 monthly (citizens)
20	Tuition (main subjects)	Math, English, Science.	200 – 800 monthly
21	Enrichment (arts/sports)	Ballet, swimming, coding.	100 – 400 monthly
22	CCAs & school camps	Activities and outings.	100 – 300 annually
23	Pocket money	Daily allowance for snacks.	2 – 5 daily
24	Healthcare & dental	Annual checks, braces prep.	200 – 500 annually
25	Family vacations	Overseas trips with kids.	3,000 – 8,000 annually

Stage 3: Secondary School to JC/Poly (13–18 years)

#	Expense Item	Description	Estimated Cost Range (SGD)
26	Secondary school fees	Local school fees.	25 – 43 monthly
27	Polytechnic fees	Higher than secondary.	300 – 3,000 annually
28	School textbooks & supplies	More costly at higher levels.	300 – 600 annually
29	Transport (MRT/bus)	Daily commute.	50 – 100 monthly
30	Tuition & coaching	Additional academic support.	300 – 1,000 monthly
31	Enrichment & hobbies	Music, coding, sports.	150 – 500 monthly
32	CCAs & overseas trips	Sports, exchange programmes.	500 – 2,000 annually
33	Pocket money	Higher allowance.	5 – 15 daily
34	Electronic devices	Laptops, tablets, phones.	1,000 – 2,000 every 3–4 years
35	Fashion & social spending	Clothing, outings with friends.	500 – 1,500 annually
36	Healthcare & dental	Braces, health check-ups.	3,000 – 6,000 (one-time braces)
37	Family holidays	Longer trips.	4,000 – 10,000 annually

Stage 4: University & Young Adulthood (19–24 years)

#	Expense Item	Description	Estimated Cost Range (SGD)
38	University tuition (local)	Tuition fees	8,000 – 12,000 annually
39	University tuition (overseas)	If studying abroad.	40,000 – 70,000 annually
40	Polytechnic/ITE fees	For non-university routes.	3,000 – 6,000 annually
41	Accommodation (overseas/hostel)	Dorms or rental.	500 – 2,000 monthly
42	Daily living expenses	Food, transport, lifestyle.	500 – 1,000 monthly
43	Laptop/tech upgrades	Needed for studies.	1,500 – 2,500
44	Driving licence	Lessons + tests.	2,000 – 3,000
45	Exchange programmes	Overseas exposure.	5,000 – 15,000
46	Internships (unpaid costs)	Transport, meals.	200 – 400 monthly
47	Graduation fees	Robes, photos, ceremony.	500 – 1,000
48	Personal insurance	Health and accident coverage.	500 – 1,500 annually
49	Dating & social life	Eating out, entertainment.	200 – 600 monthly
50	First job preparation	Work wardrobe, courses.	1,000 – 3,000

Final Thoughts

By the time your child turns 24 years old, the cost of raising them in Singapore can easily cross $300,000 – $500,000, depending on lifestyle choices, schooling paths (local vs overseas), and enrichment activities.

While daunting, careful budgeting, government subsidies (Baby Bonus, CDA), MediSave, and insurance planning can ease the load. Most importantly, remember that raising a child is not just about the money — it’s about love, time, and guidance across every life stage.