Children in the United Kingdom have experienced a modest increase in their weekly pocket money this year, according to fresh data from the financial technology company GoHenry. The analysis, based on anonymised transactions from over 600,000 young savers aged seven to 18, reveals that the average weekly allowance rose by only 12 pence compared to the previous year.
Pocket Money Growth Lags Behind Inflation
Between January and April 2026, youngsters received an average of £9.90 per week, representing a 1.2 per cent increase from the £9.78 recorded during the same period in 2025. This slight uplift falls significantly short of the consumer prices index (CPI) inflation rate of 2.8 per cent recorded in April, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The data suggests that the purchasing power of children's allowances has effectively diminished over the past year.
Regional Variations Across Britain
The study highlights notable disparities in pocket money across different parts of the country. Children in the South East of England enjoyed the highest average weekly sum at £12.88, while those in the East of England received the lowest average at £8.57. In the capital, London children received an average of £10.02 per week, which is slightly above the national average but still below the South East figure. Other regions included Scotland at £10.67, the West Midlands at £9.90, and the North West at £9.74.
Chores and Savings Habits
When it comes to earning money through chores, tidying bedrooms emerged as the most common task leading to account top-ups, with an average payment of £1.14. Music practice proved to be the highest-earning chore, fetching an average of £1.84 per session. Brushing teeth also contributed to earnings, with an average payment of £1.31. Looking after pets and doing homework were among other popular tasks, with average payments of £1.42 and £1.39 respectively.
GoHenry also shed light on children's savings goals, with holidays topping the list, followed by birthdays and electronics. The data indicated that children are saving an average of £3.93 per week, demonstrating a habit of setting money aside despite the rising cost of living. Grocery shops and supermarkets were the most common places for children to spend their money, followed by restaurants, clothing stores, transport, and health and beauty shops.
Expert Insights and Age-Based Analysis
Louise Hill, founder of GoHenry, commented on the findings: "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."
The analysis also broke down average weekly pocket money by age, showing a clear progression: seven-year-olds received £4.30, eight-year-olds £4.44, nine-year-olds £4.78, 10-year-olds £5.38, 11-year-olds £6.46, 12-year-olds £8.12, 13-year-olds £10.68, 14-year-olds £12.86, 15-year-olds £14.54, 16-year-olds £16.66, and 17-year-olds £18.61. Interestingly, 18-year-olds received a slightly lower average of £16.57, possibly reflecting a shift in financial arrangements as they approach adulthood.
