How much does it cost for expats to raise children In Singapore?

Recently moved to Singapore or considering making the move here with your family, and wondering about the costs of raising a child in Singapore?

Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room. Singapore is one of the most expensive countries in the world to live in, even beating out fellow cosmopolitan, modern Asian cities like Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seoul.

In fact, Singapore currently tops a list of 173 cities in the world in terms of being the Most Expensive.

What are we to make of that, though? Especially when we’ve got children in tow?

While the costs associated with raising a child are undoubtedly high, how high they go really depends on the choices you make and the kind of lifestyle you want to maintain.

The cost of raising a child in Singapore for expats

The figure most Singapore residents see with regard to raising a child from birth to adulthood is somewhere between S$200,000 and S$500,000.

For an expat, it’s not so straightforward. For one thing, you’ll have to plan year on year, so you can’t be sure about the total sum needed. Who knows how long you’ll be in Singapore for?

A good way to gauge would be to work out your monthly necessities for your family.

Biggest cost drivers for expat parents in Singapore

As an expat, your biggest expenditure will probably be on housing rental and school fees. Add in all your daily costs of living from groceries, utilities, transport, and entertainment, and you’ll realise everything adds up pretty quickly.

What a realistic monthly budget looks like for expat families

So, how much does it really cost for you, an expat, to raise a child here in Singapore?

There’s no right answer, but people on community sites like Reddit and Quora say that a comfortable monthly estimate lies somewhere between S$12,000 and S$15,000.

If it sounds daunting, don’t worry. We got you.

We’ve broken your expenditure down to the different stages of parenting, so you can see at a glance the costs that you’ll need to financially and mentally prepare yourself for. Buckle up, and enjoy the ride!

Breakdown of the costs of raising children

As a parent, it’s completely understandable that we want the absolute best for our child that money can buy.

The great thing about raising a child in Singapore is that even on a tighter budget, the quality of basic education and healthcare. These are two of the highest costs of raising a child, which is already fantastic.

Public schools and hospitals are definitely great alternatives for you to consider if you want to save some money.

If you’re up for the challenges of navigating those, check out our guide to Singapore’s education system here, and healthcare system here.

1. Pregnancy and birth

Choosing your gynaecologist and hospital in Singapore

Pregnancy is an oh-so-exciting time, but it can also be oh-so-expensive in a foreign country. If you’re expecting a bundle of joy as an expat here in Singapore, welcome! Your first order of business would be to find a gynaecologist whom you are comfortable with, who you will be seeing for your antenatal care and your baby’s delivery.

In Singapore, your gynaecologist will likely be able to practise from a select few private hospitals only, so you will need to follow your gynaecologist and book a maternity package at the hospital.

You can also choose to deliver at a public hospital as a private, unsubsidised patient.

You will need to be prepared to pay for your antenatal consultations. This may be pay-per-visit, or an upfront payment for a package, which includes bi-weekly or monthly consults, and perhaps even ultrasound scans.

Typical antenatal and delivery costs to expect

Delivery fees and hospital fees are chargeable upon your baby’s delivery, and these vary widely too, depending on whether you had a vaginal or Caesarean delivery, whether you had any complications at birth, and the length of your stay in the hospital, among other considerations.

Extra pregnancy and birth support to budget for

You will also need to pay for a paediatrician, who will examine your baby at birth, every day when you’re in hospital, and determine if your baby is well enough to be discharged to go home.

Other associated costs are

• Hospital tests and scans, such as the OSCAR or Panorama NIPT tests.
• The 20-week detailed scan, and additional bloodwork or tests as required. 
• Adoula, if you need additional support at birth.
• A lactation consultant to teach you the breastfeeding ropes.

Approximate price range for pregnancy and birth in Singapore

2. Infancy

Essential baby gear and everyday expenses

Babies are absolutely adorable. They can also be expensive to raise, especially if both parents have to work. Clothes, diapers, formula milk or breast pump equipment, bottles, and baby gear all add up quickly.

Childcare options for working expat parents

Many local families have both parents who work, so infant care services (for children between the ages of 2 to 18 months) with professional and trained infant care teachers are quite widely available. Private nannies can also be hired to care for your infant while you’re at work.

Alternatively, you may choose to hire a live-in foreign domestic helper to help care for your baby, and to cook and clean your home while you are at work. These women are generally from countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, or India. Read more about the steps you’ll need to take to hire a domestic helper in Singapore.

Summary of costs to raise an infant in Singapore

3. Preschool

Homeschooling as a flexible option for expat parents

As your baby grows, you’ll want to start looking at preschool options for your child. Homeschooling is also something you could consider if one parent isn’t working. As an expat, you’re exempt from the Ministry of Education’s strict curriculum requirements for homeschooling your child, so you definitely get a lot more freedom to explore this option.

Preschool paths for expat families

Singapore offers a wide range of preschool choices. Whether you want to enrol your child in a full-day or half-day programme, a childcare or kindergarten, the kind of teaching pedagogy and philosophy of the school, or local or international curricula. You’ll be spoilt for choice.

Enrichment and extracurricular activities to budget for

There is also a wide variety of enrichment and extracurricular classes you can send your child to. Sports, dance, music, art, swimming, language, Math, creative writing, phonics; there’s practically a class for every interest under the sun. These will cost you, so you’ll want to budget accordingly for them.

Overview of preschool costs in Singapore

4. School years

The cost of tuition: Private vs public

As an expat, having a primary and secondary school-aged child in Singapore will probably be one of your biggest expenditures, especially if you plan to enrol him or her in an international school.

International school fees in Singapore, like in most countries around the world, are high.

If you intend to enrol your child in a local government school, your school fees will be significantly lower. Read all about how you can navigate the public school system here.

Hidden school expenses parents often forget

And expats in Singapore who have children enrolled in an international school here, take into account that there are often hidden costs involved:

• Application fees
• Transport fees
• Building maintenance fees
• Contributions to the Parent Associations
• Extracurricular fees
• Uniforms 

Whether you choose an international or local school, some costs are inescapable. Gadgets, meals during school, outings with friends, books and stationery are required of all students.

Summary of schooling costs in Singapore

Tips for expats on saving money while raising children in Singapore

1. Borrow books from the public libraries instead of buying brand new.

2. Enjoy free and low-cost attractions and public parks.

3. Purchase annual passes to save on entrance fees.

4. Take public transport around Singapore.

5. Look out for student promotions at F&B establishments.

6. Consider enrolling your child in local schools, especially preschools.

7. Shop for your groceries at the local wet markets or online platforms, and supermarkets like Fairprice, Sheng Shiong, and Giant for the best deals.

8. Dine at hawker centres and coffee shops, air-conditioned food courts, or do takeaways from them to eat from home.

9. Stay in heartland neighbourhoods near town centres with amenities to save on rental.

10. Shop second-hand for clothes, furniture, and books.