Children get 12p weekly pocket money rise in 2026, says GoHenry

Children have received a modest 12p-a-week increase in pocket money during the first part of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to data from the money management app GoHenry. The average weekly amount for youngsters aged seven to 18 stood at £9.90 between January and April 2026, up 1.2% from £9.78 in the same months of 2025.

Gender gap and regional differences

The anonymised data reveals a small gender gap of 3p per week, with girls receiving £9.89 on average and boys getting £9.91. The annual percentage increase for children's pocket money is less than half the consumer prices index (CPI) inflation rate of 2.8% recorded in April, suggesting that parents may be feeling the pinch from rising living costs.

Regionally, children in the South East of England receive the highest weekly pocket money at £12.88, while those in the East of England get the lowest at £8.57. Other regional averages include London at £10.02, Scotland at £10.67, and the North East at £8.75.

—

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

Chores and savings habits

Tidying the bedroom remains the most common chore linked to pocket money, with an average payment of £1.14. Music practice earns the highest reward among chores at £1.84 per session. Holidays top the list of children's savings goals, followed by birthdays and electronics.

Grocery shops and supermarkets are the most popular spending destinations, ahead of restaurants, clothing shops, transport, and health and beauty outlets.

Louise Hill, founder of GoHenry, commented: "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."

The analysis is based on a sample of over 600,000 children aged seven to 18 using GoHenry, comparing data from January 1 to April 15 in both 2025 and 2026.