The 1.3 Million Parents in England Doing a £147k Job for Free

by Angelina Vodenicharova, 18 November 2025

England is home to roughly 1.3 million stay-at-home parents, a group quietly keeping the country’s families — and much of its economy — running. Their work isn’t just emotional labour; it’s financial, logistical and often relentless.

If families were to pay professional rates for the full range of childcare, cooking, cleaning and household management, it would cost them £147,204 per year, per household. This is almost four times and more than double the top 10% of earners, who make around £64,800 or more each year.

In short, England’s stay-at-home parents are performing a six-figure salary without a paycheck.

Key findings

• National replacement value: £147,204 per year.
• Highest regional value: London — £178,716 (~3.7× average salary £47,455).
• Lowest regional value: North East — £124,620 (~3.8× average salary £32,960).
• Highest replacement multiple vs average salary: South East — £167,064 (~4.3× average salary £39,038).
• Lowest replacement multiple vs average salary: London — £178,716 (~3.7× average salary £47,455).

The invisible workforce behind the front door

The average stay-at-home parent juggles roles that could easily fill three full-time jobs. Between school runs, meal planning, admin, transport and emotional support, their typical month racks up 492 hours of work!

Unlike paid employment, this labour comes with no holidays, pension contributions or salary reviews. Yet without it, many families in England would struggle to function.

The regional breakdown

While the workload is the same nationwide, the price tag for replacing the labour varies sharply, shaped by local service rates, transport demands and childcare availability. Regional salary data below is derived from Statista.

London – £178,716 (~3.7x average salary £47,455)

London tops the list with costs more than 21% above the national average. High childcare, cleaning and transport rates make it England’s most expensive region for outsourcing household labour.

South East – £167,064 (~4.3x average salary £39,038)

Commuter belt living pushes the South East figure close to £167k. Proximity to London inflates prices for childcare and home management, leaving many families better off with one parent at home.

East of England – £151,440 (~4.1x average salary £36,949)

The East of England edges above the national figure, thanks to higher market rates for childcare and cleaning than in the Midlands or the North.

South West – £151,236 (~4.2x average salary £35,634)

In the South West, longer travel times and limited childcare options increase the cost of keeping a home running. Rural families, in particular, face higher transportation expenses.

West Midlands – £142,440 (~4.1x average salary £34,948)

A slightly lower figure reflects more moderate local service costs, though the hours of running a household are just as long.

East Midlands – £138,167 (~4.1x average salary £34,938)

Lower prices for domestic help and cleaning explain the modest drop below the national total, not fewer hours worked.

North West – £133,644 (~3.8x average salary £35,170)

Competitive childcare and household rates lower the replacement costs, though the invisible effort remains the same.

Yorkshire & the Humber – £133,284 (~3.9x average salary £34,401)

Local affordability masks the immense value of unpaid work here. Families perform the same roles for less visible reward.

North East – £124,620 (~3.8x average salary £32,960)

The lowest total in England reflects cheaper local services rather than less work. Stay-at-home parents here provide just as much hidden value.

The economic impact of staying home

When one parent stays home, their contribution often goes uncounted in the official GDP figures, yet its economic significance is undeniable. The Office for National Statistics estimated that unpaid household labour could represent hundreds of billions of pounds annually.

For many families, the decision to stay at home is a financial logic: nursery fees, commuting and wrap-around care can easily consume an entire income. However, the trade-offs include lost earnings, reduced pensions and limited recognitions, as highlighted in this article.

Rethinking how we value care

The £147,000 figure isn’t a plea to invoice one’s partner, rather it’s a reminder of what would be lost if this work stopped. It quantifies the effort that keeps families and communities functioning.

The number of stay-at-home fathers has risen steadily, showing that family labour is no longer defined by gender. Still, the underlying challenge remains the same: ensuring unpaid care work receives the respect and support it deserves.

Why this matters

Recognising unpaid labour clarifies family choices and underlines its economic and social importance. For the 1.3 million stay-at-home parents across the country, it’s proof that their (unpaid) work is priceless.

Our methodology

The analysis modelled a typical family of four (two adults, one school-age child, one toddler and a dog). Using time-use data and regional market rates for 21 household roles – from childcare and cooking to transportation and household management – we estimated monthly hours and multiplied them by local hourly rates. The resulting totals were averaged across England to produce the national value of £147,204.

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