Raising a Child in Israel Now Costs Over One Million Shekels, Burdening Middle-Class Families

Raising a child in Israel in 2026 has become a significant financial challenge for middle-class families, with costs far exceeding the long-held myth of one million shekels. From the moment a child is born until their release from mandatory military service at age 21, expenses accumulate rapidly, straining household budgets.

Initial costs before birth, including nursery furniture and baby gear, range from 10,000 to over 22,000 shekels, with strollers alone costing between 2,000 and 6,000 shekels. Monthly expenses during early childhood, covering diapers, private daycare, and other necessities, average about 7,100 shekels, totaling approximately 426,600 shekels over five years.

As children grow, costs shift to school supplies, extracurricular activities, and clothing, with monthly expenses around 4,860 shekels for ages 5 to 12, amounting to over 400,000 shekels for that period. Teenagers face additional costs such as personal electronics, social activities, and youth movement fees. Upon reaching adulthood, military service introduces new expenses for parents, including food, laundry, and transportation.

Parents like Nitzan Zemer Hershkovitz, a teacher from Ra'anana, report monthly child-related expenses exceeding 13,000 shekels, highlighting the difficulty of managing these costs on average incomes. Many families rely heavily on financial support from grandparents to maintain their children's lifestyle. Experts note that the financial burden now surpasses the old benchmark of one million shekels per child, making parenthood a complex economic decision for many.

The article emphasizes that these figures represent averages and do not account for unexpected expenses or special needs. Even after children turn 21, families face ongoing financial responsibilities related to higher education and housing support, underscoring the long-term economic impact of raising children in Israel today.