At what age can you start to give pocket money to your child?
Around 6-7 years old
It is up to parents to decide when their child is ready to receive pocket money. For some, it is never too early to initiate the youngest to financial management. From primary school, around 6-7 years old, some parents granted a few euros per week to their child to fill his piggy bank. Entrance to primary school coincides with the start of the math program. An ideal moment to learn to count with your own coins and tickets.
At the entrance to college
In general, the question of pocket money is most often invited when entering college. From 10-12 years oldmost children receive pocket money. Here, everything is a question of will on the part of the parents, also taking into account the maturity of their children.
Is it a good idea to give pocket money to your teenager?
Learn to manage a budget and save
Giving pocket money to a teenager has multiple benefits. The introduction of pocket money into the life of a teenager contributes to its construction as an adult future. Pocket money develops skills, such as the sense of responsibility and managing a personal budget.
Prioritize
Having only a limited sum for his outings, clothing and leisure, the teen must arbitrate, anticipate, make compromises, select what he wants most. All these operations lead him to understand the concept of economy over time and to know himself better.
Define the use of pocket money
Before giving pocket money to your teenager, it is important to define together precisely what it will be used for. Will pocket money be used to buy leisure products (books, cinema places, etc.), clothes, food, video games …? It is therefore advisable to set a framework: pocket money should not be used to make purchases that parents disapprove of, purchases superior to a certain amount without the agreement of the latter, etc.
How to give pocket money to a teenager?
The frequency to give pocket money to a teenager depends mainly on his age. Before 10 years, children do not have the same notion of temporality as adults. In other words, they will be unable to manage a long -term budget. It is therefore advisable to favor Pocket money every week. After entering college, teens can more easily set long -term goals and perceive pocket money monthly. The amount of money must evolve with the child’s age and needs.
How much pocket money to give to 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 or 18 years?
Average for a 10-12 year old child
At 10-12 years old, pocket money constitutes a “introduction” in financial responsibility. Here, the sums are not very high. On average, in 2025, according to a study carried out for Pixpaythe pocket money of 10-12 year olds is around 20 euros per monthor the equivalent of 5 euros per week.
Average for a 13-14 year old teenager
Still according to the study, from 13 years old, the amount of pocket money increases. It goes from 20 euros to 25 euros on average. What to take advantage of a little more freedom and autonomy and to be able to finance his first outings with friends: a cinema session, a fast food, an attraction at the funfair …
Average for a 15-16 year old
At 15-16, the needs of adolescents are increasingly important. Unsurprisingly, the amount of the pocket money granted to them must be higher than that of the youngest. On average, adolescents of this age group perceive around 30 euros per month.
Amount for a young adult from 17 to 18 years old
As the majority approach, the amount of pocket money is at the highest. It amounts to an average of 40 euros per month For young people aged 17 to 18.
Extension, gift … other elements to take into account
But all of these amounts can evolve with small extensions at the end of the month, gifts, payments or manual donations from other family members. The resources of the household, the family composition and the lifestyle constitute other elements which impact the amount of pocket money for a teenager.
A couple with high income with a single child will be more likely to opt for a pocket money budget higher than a family with more modest resources and at the head of a siblings of several children.
In what form to give pocket money?
For a long time, the parents gave their children’s pocket money in cash, with a few coins and/or one or two tickets per month. This time is over. Increasingly, transactions are made dematerialized, including in the youngest.
From 12 years old and after entering college, many children already have a bank account managed by their parents. The latter can follow live how the pocket money is spent. Young people often have a bank card for teenagers at their disposal to manage expenses associated with their pocket money. The more the age increases, the more teenagers use their smartphone for contactless payments via mobile applications!
What is the “pocket money” device?
A CAF device
Not all children have access to pocket money. The “pocket money” device tries to counter this inequality. Piloted by the Family Allowance Fund and the communities, the system aims to offer adolescents from 14 to 18 years old financial compensation in exchange for small work:
- Archiving assistance,
- participation in the supervision of festive events,
- Help in the animation of children in a municipal youth council,
- Inventory in a library …
Mission remuneration carried out
Adolescents who carry out missions in favor of the territory concerned sign a participation contract or a charter of engagement. They perceive in return for remuneration comparable to pocket money (Five euros for a half-day missionwithin the limit of maximum aid of 2,000 euros).
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