A third of Latvian parents of children aged 7 to 17 plan to spend 100 to 200 euros to prepare for school, LETA reports, citing a survey commissioned by SEB banka and conducted by Nordstat. According to parents, the main items of expenditure during the school year are footwear and clothing for children. 30% of parents believe that it is possible to prepare for school for up to 100 euros. Every third parent (33%) plans to spend 100 to 200 euros, and 15% of respondents are sure that 200 to 300 euros will be needed. Another 9% of parents believe that an amount exceeding 300 euros is necessary, according to the survey results. In addition to clothing and footwear, parents name clubs (38%), stationery (37%), food (32%) and additional tutoring or foreign language courses (25%) among the important items of expenditure during the school year. The survey data shows that the child benefit paid by the state is used differently by people. The majority, namely 63%, simply spend it on everyday needs. Every tenth person puts it aside for a major purchase for the child. Another 16% of parents use it for savings or investments in the child’s future. How much money is needed annually to raise and support children until they reach adulthood? More than a third of parents (37%) named an amount from 1,000 to 3,000 euros. Another 22% of parents believe that 3,000 to 5,000 euros per year are necessary. 18% are sure that an even larger amount is needed. Only every tenth person believes that an amount of up to 1,000 euros per year is enough. The survey of the Latvian population was conducted in July 2024 by Norstat, commissioned by SEB banka. It involved 1,001 respondents aged 25 to 65 years, with children aged 7 to 17 years.
