Children in Britain have received a 12p-a-week pocket money pay rise this year – but the increase is less than half the rate of inflation, suggesting parents are still feeling the pinch from rising living costs.
Youngsters aged seven to 18 received an average of £9.90 per week between January and April 2026, up 1.2% from £9.78 in the same period a year earlier, according to anonymised data from the money app GoHenry. The consumer prices index (CPI) rate of inflation stood at 2.8% in April, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), meaning the real value of pocket money has fallen.
“Children's average weekly pocket money rose 12p to £9.90, but lagged inflation at 2.8%, data from GoHenry shows.”
A 3p-per-week gender gap persists, with boys receiving an average of £9.91 and girls £9.89.
Regional differences are starker. Children in the south east of England get the highest weekly pocket money at £12.88, while those in the east of England receive the lowest at £8.57.
Tidying bedrooms is the most common chore that earns children money, generating an average payment of £1.14. Music practice is the highest-earning task at £1.84.
Louise Hill, founder of GoHenry, said: “This mid-year snapshot shows something really important. Despite the rising cost of living, kids are still setting money aside week after week, saving an average of £3.93 per week, and it’s become second nature for them.
“It’s exciting to watch their world grow alongside their financial independence. We’re seeing kids make more independent choices about where they spend, from supermarkets to transport and health and beauty, reflecting their growing autonomy and confidence when it comes to managing their money.”
Holidays are the most popular savings goal for children, followed by birthdays and electronics. When they spend, grocery shops and supermarkets are the top destination, then restaurants, clothing shops, transport and health and beauty shops.
The analysis was based on a sample of more than 600,000 children aged seven to 18 who use GoHenry, comparing the first 15 weeks of 2025 with the same period in 2026.