'No wonder Indians having just 1 kid': Rs 2.5L Japan school trip fuels online debate
The discussion began after X user Alka Gurha shared details about the spending habits of a friend with a school-going son
A Rs 2.5 lakh school trip to Japan has unexpectedly ignited a debate on parenting costs in India, with social media users divided over whether raising children is becoming increasingly unaffordable or if expectations around childhood have simply changed.
The discussion began after X user Alka Gurha shared details about the spending habits of a friend with a school-going son. According to her post, the parent recently spent Rs 2.5 lakh on a school-organised trip to Japan for her Class 8 child and provided an additional Rs 50,000 for shopping. The child reportedly returned with a limited-edition branded shoe worth Rs 19,000. Gurha also claimed that a few months earlier, the family had spent around Rs 90,000 on a three-night trip to Goa, excluding pocket money.
She concluded her post with a pointed question: "Is it any surprise that people are having only one child?"
Friend paid 2.5 lacs for her son's school trip to Japan. Class 8. Plus extra 50 k for shopping. He bought a branded limited edition shoe for 19 k in Japan.
3 months ago she paid 90 k for Goa, 3 N, plus cash for expenses.
Is it any surprise people have only one kid?
— AG (@alkagurha) June 7, 2026
While some agreed that raising children in India's metropolitan cities has become significantly more expensive than it was a generation ago, many argued that the examples cited reflected lifestyle choices rather than unavoidable parenting costs.
