Stay-at-Home Parent ‘Salary’ Reaches €60,112, Research Finds

The multifaceted role of a stay-at-home parent is now valued at €60,112 annually, according to new research from Royal London Ireland. The figure, representing the estimated cost of replacing the services a stay-at-home parent provides, has increased by 5.2% since 2024, when it stood at €57,140, and marks a 48% rise from €40,560 in 2015.

The study, now in its tenth year, assesses the monetary worth of parents who dedicate themselves to full-time care and household management. Royal London Ireland calculated the cost by evaluating the current wage rates required to cover the range of tasks typically handled by a stay-at-home parent, including childcare, cleaning, cooking, educational support, gardening, and transportation.

Despite the increasing recognition of the value of this work, a significant gap persists between the actual cost and public perception. The research revealed that the average adult in Ireland estimates the annual cost of a stay-at-home parent’s duties at just €34,477 – a shortfall of over €25,000 compared to the calculated figure. Less than one in five (18%) of the 1,000 adults polled nationwide estimated the cost to be above €50,000.

Interestingly, the study highlights a gendered difference in perception. More than one in five women (22%) accurately estimated the cost would exceed €50,000, compared to only 14% of men. Men, along with younger adults aged 18-24 and those over 55, were more likely to underestimate the cost, placing it in the €20,000-€30,000 range. Those aged 35-44, often actively raising young children, were the most likely to accurately assess the financial value at over €50,000.

Karen O’Flaherty, senior propositions executive with Royal London Ireland, noted that an individual’s life stage appears to influence their understanding of the role. “Those who placed the highest value on the work of a stay-at-home parent tend to be in the 35-44 age bracket, which is the group most likely to be raising young children themselves and dealing directly with the practical and financial demands it entails,” she said.

The findings align with recent data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showing that two-thirds of mothers who gave birth in 2023 were between the ages of 30 and 39. This suggests a direct correlation between experiencing the demands of childcare and recognizing its financial implications.

The research underscores what Royal London Ireland describes as a “disconnect” between society’s reliance on parental labor and the lack of formal recognition of its economic value. The company emphasizes that the tasks performed by stay-at-home parents are not occasional responsibilities but rather essential, daily functions that keep households running.

“When we break down the individual tasks that stay-at-home parents, or any parent for that matter, manage, the picture becomes even clearer: replacing this work would come at a substantial cost and would require a range of different paid professionals to cover it,” O’Flaherty explained. “These are not occasional responsibilities but essential, daily functions that keep households running. The fact that the estimated annual cost now exceeds €60,000 really highlights just how much unpaid, and often unseen, work is being carried out in homes across the country.”

The increasing valuation of stay-at-home parenting reflects a broader trend towards recognizing the economic contributions of unpaid care work. While the study focuses specifically on Ireland, similar analyses in other countries have yielded comparable results, highlighting the universal underestimation of the value provided by those who dedicate themselves to full-time family care. The rising cost also reflects the increasing complexity of modern family life, with parents often juggling multiple responsibilities beyond traditional childcare and household chores.

The implications of this research extend beyond individual household finances. A more accurate valuation of stay-at-home parenting could influence policy debates surrounding childcare subsidies, parental leave, and social welfare programs. It also raises questions about the economic trade-offs families make when deciding whether one parent should remain at home to provide care, and the potential long-term financial consequences of those decisions.

As societal values continue to evolve, and the demands on families increase, the economic value of stay-at-home parenting is likely to remain a significant topic of discussion. The Royal London Ireland study provides a valuable benchmark for understanding the true cost of this often-unseen labor, and for advocating for policies that better support families and recognize the contributions of those who dedicate themselves to raising the next generation.