How much does it really cost to raise a child on a grant?
Taken together, the figures highlight a widening gap between the CSG and the real cost of raising a child in South Africa.
South Africa’s Child Support Grant (CSG) is meant to support vulnerable families, but figures show it falls well below the actual cost of raising a child, particularly when food, childcare and education are taken into account.
The CSG, set at R580 per month per child, remains significantly below the cost of raising a child.
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According to the Department of Social Development, the grant was increased by R20 in April 2026.
However, cost breakdowns show that the gap between the grant and the real cost of child-rearing remains wide.
Food costs alone exceed the grant
According to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD), children are among those most affected by rising food prices and household affordability pressures.
The organisation said the average cost of a basic nutritious diet for a child was R977,52 in June 2026, while the CSG remains fixed at R580 per month.
This means the grant is 41% below the average cost of a basic nutritious diet.
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PMBEJD also noted that the grant sits below the national food poverty line.
Statistics South Africa’s National Food Poverty Line is calculated at R855 per capita per month, meaning the Child Support Grant is 32% below the food poverty line.
“As children grow older, their nutritional requirements increase. It means that the cost of feeding a child increases in price as a child grows older, and is also different for teenage girls and boys,” said PMBEJD.
The Child Support Grant is a fixed amount: it does not account for age.
The organisation said children continue to bear the brunt of affordability pressures, with many households forced to reduce spending on nutritious food as budgets tighten.
The real cost of raising a baby
Beyond food, early childhood essentials add significant financial pressure before school-going age even begins.
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According to Old Mutual, the initial once-off cost of preparing for a baby can range between R16 000 and R20 000, depending on the items purchased.
Basic items alone include:
- Pram: ± R8 000
- Cot: ± R2 500
- Car seat: from R800
- Baby grows: ± R100 each
- Blankets and linen: ± R1 000
- Bath: R350 – R1 000
- Toiletries: ± R500 per month
- Nappies: R600 – R1 000 per month
Once these essentials are in place, monthly costs for a baby are estimated at R1 500 to R2 500, excluding additional items such as creams, nappy bags and other necessities.
Old Mutual also noted that costs can be reduced through second-hand purchases, hand-me-downs and baby registries, but warned that families still need a structured budget to manage expenses sustainably.
Schooling adds further pressure
As children grow, education costs add another layer of financial strain.
Old Mutual estimates:
- Preschool: around R3 000 per month
- Public primary school: approximately R30 000 per year
- Public high school: approximately R40 000 per year
- University: around R60 000 per year, depending on the course
These costs sit well above what many low-income households are able to absorb without additional support.
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Grant remains far below real cost of raising a child
Taken together, the figures highlight a widening gap between the CSG and the real cost of raising a child in South Africa.
While the grant provides essential support, both food security data and household cost estimates show it does not fully cover even basic nutritional needs, let alone broader costs such as childcare, schooling and essential living expenses.
