Financial Preparation for School Year: Minimum Expense of Around EUR 250 Per Pupil Revealed in Survey
As the new school year approaches, many Latvian households are feeling a mix of emotions, including excitement, joy, anxiety, and worry. A survey conducted among 501 people in Latvia aged 25-65 with school-age children in the family has revealed that the process of preparing for the new school year can be both emotionally and financially challenging.
The main financial challenge is the high cost of school preparation. Almost 60% of Latvian parents say that the budget needed to prepare one pupil for school is at least EUR 250, which often exceeds what families can realistically afford.
In terms of financial coping strategies, parents prioritize price when buying school supplies (42%), followed by quality (30%), while only 16% prioritize their child's preferences. Many parents spend up to EUR 100 (38%) or up to EUR 250 (35%), with only a small minority planning to spend more than EUR 250.
To help offset these challenges, there are charity campaigns like those organized by AKROPOLE and Ziedot.lv, which collect donations of school supplies and money to assist low-income Latvian and Ukrainian refugee families. These initiatives aim to reduce inequalities among pupils, helping children start the year with dignity and equal opportunities.
The campaign to help children start school with confidence and joy will take place from 4 to 29 August this year. Last year, public donations helped 317 children, including 150 Ukrainian refugee first-graders, to start school. Kaspars Beitiņš, CEO of SIA Akropole Latvija, has stated that the campaign has become a good tradition and an inspiring example of solidarity.
The survey on the preparation for the new school year among Latvian residents with school-age children was carried out in cooperation with the research agency Norstat in July 2025. The survey found that the campaign has been instrumental in helping children start school with confidence and joy. The survey did not provide information on the percentage of Latvian parents considering giving up certain products or brands or replacing them with cheaper alternatives, the percentage of Latvian parents planning to spend on school supplies, or the percentage of Latvian parents keeping an eye on discounts or using items from previous years.
However, it was revealed that 44% of Latvian parents plan to keep an eye on discounts and promotions when buying school supplies, and 29% of Latvian households feel anxiety and worry respectively when preparing for the new school year. On a positive note, 27% of Latvian households feel joy and 35% feel excitement when preparing for the new school year.
In summary, the survey results reflect both the practical and emotional burden Latvian families face and highlight the role of community assistance in mitigating the financial strain. The campaign invites everyone in Latvia to support families in need with school-age children.
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