Moms face a “substantial and long-lasting” discount in earnings after having kids, new analysis has revealed.
A examine by the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics (ONS) discovered that 5 years after the beginning of a primary youngster, month-to-month earnings have been, on common, 42 per cent decrease – a lack of £1,051 monthly – in contrast with revenue one 12 months prior.
The deficit endured throughout the examine interval (2014-2022 in England).
Cumulatively, the ONS discovered a complete earnings loss over 5 years averaged £65,618 after a primary youngster, with a further £26,317 following a second, and £32,456 after a 3rd.
A part of this discount was attributed to a lower in employment.
Probably the most vital earnings drop occurred after the primary beginning, adopted by sustained reductions for 5 years after every subsequent youngster.

Alice Martin, head of analysis at suppose tank the Work Basis at Lancaster College, commented: “In the present day’s figures current the stark and unfair actuality for working moms within the UK.
“Authorities is aiming to ‘make work pay’, however ladies who change into moms face persistent and vital disadvantages in pay and development.
“They’re compelled to commerce job safety and alternatives to handle early motherhood and ongoing childcare.”
Rachel Grocott, of marketing campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed, mentioned: “This new information confirms what moms have recognized for many years: the second you have got kids, your pay nosedives.
“That is the worth that mums are paying – 42 per cent of their wage – for 5 years after having their first youngster. It’s fully abhorrent, and the extra kids you have got, the deeper the drop.
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“It’s not a delicate decline — it’s a monetary freefall leading to monetary lack of over £100,000 for a mom of three kids.
“If males skilled this sort of penalty for changing into dad and mom, we’d have fastened it years in the past. As a substitute, ladies are punished for caring, sidelined at work, and anticipated to only take in the price.
“Is it any surprise that girls are second-guessing having youngsters immediately? The playing cards are stacked so closely in opposition to them that with the ability to afford youngsters is changing into a luxurious.
“We want pressing reform – childcare that doesn’t bankrupt you, parental depart that is sensible, and workplaces that cease treating motherhood like a legal responsibility and as an alternative flex their roles to assist moms to navigate the notorious juggle and begin to deal with the motherhood penalty as soon as and for all.”