U.S. childcare costs surpass those in all other OECD countries when taking into account single parents and couples earning average wage. The price tag for having two children minded while working full-time is also significantly higher in the U.S. than in most other developed countries that are part of the organization. Only Switzerland, the United Kingdom and New Zealand come even close to the high price parents have to shoulder for childcare in the United States.

According to 2022 data from the OECD, U.S. couples who both earn average wage in full-time jobs and have two young children need to spend 20 percent of their disposable household income on childcare. For singles on average wage, this rises to 37 percent. In most countries, single parents pay less as they receive a more favorable rate. ...