€57,140 - The Value of a Stay-at-Home Parent in Ireland

Almost 90% of people underestimated this figure. Surprised? You're not alone.

As a financial planner, the latest research from Royal London Ireland took me right back to my days as an L&D coach with Irish Life. Their recent estimate values the annual "salary" of a stay-at-home parent in Ireland at €57,140. That's up from €54,590 last year—and a long way from €40,560 in 2015.

It brought back some timeless questions:

Who else can juggle childcare manager, chef, chauffeur, housekeeper, tutor, and emotional support system—all in the same day?

And yet, despite this immense contribution, the financial value of stay-at-home parents often gets overlooked in both family conversations and financial planning.

Financial Planning and Invisible Work

In our line of work, we spend a lot of time talking about assets, investments, and risk management. But how often do we stop to consider the economic value of time and care within a household?

Whether you're the breadwinner or the stay-at-home parent, the roles are deeply intertwined.

The absence of either can have a significant financial impact.

Imagine hiring someone to:

Mind the kids full-time

Keep the house running

Chauffeur everyone to school, sports, and activities

It's a sobering thought. And many families don't factor this "invisible work" into their financial plans.

What Can We Do?

While no sum of money can replace the love and care a parent provides, we can plan for the unexpected:

• Life Insurance – Would your family be able to afford outsourcing those responsibilities if the primary caregiver wasn't there tomorrow?
• Emergency Fund – Having 3–6 months of expenses saved can be a lifesaver when life throws a curveball.

As someone who works with families to balance budgets and build futures, I know these conversations can sometimes feel overwhelming—but they don't have to be.

And let's be honest: while a stay-at-home parent is worth €57,140 a year, they'd probably settle for a hot cup of coffee that doesn't get reheated five times.

So, What's Next?

To my fellow financial planners and to all the families we support:

Let's talk more openly about the true value of all roles within a household.

Let's encourage realistic planning—not just for the breadwinner, but for everyone who contributes to a family's wellbeing.

Because whether you're crunching numbers, changing nappies, or juggling both, every contribution counts.

And as Royal London's research shows—it counts to the tune of €57,140.