Survey Discovers that Children’s Main Concern is Increasing Costs

The study by The Children’s Society revealed that 17 percent of children—one in six—living in financially strained households had low life satisfaction.

Rising prices are children’s main concern, with 41 percent feeling very or quite worried, surpassing worries about crime (35 percent) or the environment (33 percent), as shown in a study on young people’s wellbeing. The Children’s Society’s annual household survey also highlighted that 18 percent of children—almost one in five—are frequently concerned about their family’s financial situation.

The proportion of children worried about money increased to 41 percent in households facing financial strain. The study also included data on parents and carers struggling financially, with 23 percent finding it difficult to manage finances between January and March 2024.

The Children’s Society emphasized the link between financial strain in households and lower wellbeing for both parents and children. Among children in financially strained households, 17 percent reported low life satisfaction—one in six—compared to 9 percent of their peers not under financial pressure.

Additionally, 23 percent of children frequently worried about their family’s financial situation reported low life satisfaction, compared to 8 percent of those not as concerned. Despite financial worries affecting children, most reported being happy with their family (8.3 out of 10), health (8.2), friends (7.9), and home (7.9).

The study is part of The Children’s Society’s Good Childhood Report 2024, which analyzed data from the Understanding Society Report and the Pisa survey. The report highlighted a decline in children’s happiness scores, with concerns about life satisfaction being particularly high among UK teenagers compared to other European countries.

The Children’s Society raised concerns about food poverty among young people in the UK and called for action to address societal inequalities affecting their wellbeing. The government responded to the report by acknowledging the challenges faced by teenagers and outlining plans to tackle child poverty and provide mental health support in schools.

The report also mentioned the government’s decision to maintain the two-child cap on Child Tax Credit due to financial constraints, despite calls to abolish it to reduce child poverty. Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones, explained that difficult decisions must be made to control public spending.



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