More Than 1 in 2 Adults Say Children Should Start Receiving Pocket Money by Age 9

More than half of adults in Ireland (54%) believe children should start receiving pocket money by the time they reach the age of nine, and almost one in five (19%) say from age ten is the ideal starting point.

However, women in Ireland are more likely to favour starting the pocket money habit earlier – more than half (54%) believe you should start by the age of eight, compared to 45% of men.

These are the headline findings from the latest research study commissioned by Royal London Ireland[1], one of Ireland’s leading life insurance and pensions companies. The study also found that almost one in ten adults (9%) believe children shouldn’t receive pocket money at all, saying they should only begin receiving their own money once they start working for it.

Barry McCutcheon, Protection Proposition Lead of Royal London Ireland, commented on the findings:

“Giving children pocket money can play an important role in teaching them about financial responsibility from an early age. But when and how much to give is very much down to personal preference and their caregiver – and other considerations like financial affordability, whether or not there are siblings in the family, etc. The research gives some insight into one deciding factor – the age at which a child should receive pocket money, if at all.

“It is widely accepted that early financial literacy can set the foundation for good habits like saving and budgeting, giving children more confidence when they face bigger financial decisions down the road. Introducing pocket money can be one way to do this – but of course, it’s not the only way.

“And not everyone agrees with the practice. Around one in ten adults feel pocket money shouldn’t be given at all, believing instead that money should be earned. Interestingly, those who are most likely to have children at the pocket money stage, adults aged 35–44, are the most inclined to believe that children should only receive money once they have earned it, with 12% expressing this view.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach. What matters most is finding what works for your family and using it as a chance to help children build healthy financial habits for the future”.

Additional highlights from the Royal London Ireland research include:

• Almost one in five (18%) say that pocket money should not be given to children until they are age 11 or older.
• Women are more likely than men to support giving pocket money to younger children from the age of five (16% vs 12%).
• The average age at which adults in Ireland believe children should begin receiving pocket money is just over eight and a half years.

Mr McCutcheon continued,

“The stronger views that children should earn their money - suggests that for some parents, pocket money isn’t just about spending but about building a sense of responsibility and linking rewards to effort. However, this might be seen as a more ‘old-school’ approach.

“Ultimately, conversations around pocket money aren’t just about coins in a jar – they are about teaching good financial literacy and saving some pocket can build good financial habits from a young age. Whether it’s earned through chores or given as a teaching tool, introducing money early helps children grasp essential concepts like saving, budgeting, and delayed gratification. These are the building blocks of financial confidence and independence. As parents, guardians, or educators, we all want our children to grow up capable and empowered - able to make sound financial choices and to avoid common mistakes we make as adults, like overspending or falling into debt. There’s no perfect formula, but by introducing money thoughtfully and consistently, we can help equip the next generation with the tools they need to thrive.

“Getting advice from an independent Financial Broker can be a valuable way for parents to plan confidently for their children’s financial future.”

ENDS

[1] Conducted by iReach in June 2025