<P> The cost of raising a child varies from country to country . </P> <P> The cost of raising a child is usually determined according to a formula that accounts for major areas of expenditure, such as food, housing, and clothing . However, any given family's actual expenses may differ from the estimates . For example, the rent on a home does not usually change when the tenants have another child, so the family's housing costs may remain the same . In other cases, the home may be too small, in which case the family might move to a larger home at a higher cost . </P> <P> According to Globalissues.org, "Almost half the world--over three billion people--live on less than $2.50 a day ." This statistic includes children . Based on UNICEF statistics, in developing countries the cost is roughly US $900 for raising a child for a year, and US $16,200 for raising a child from birth to age 17 . (This calculation is difficult, since families in developing countries often do not operate with currency, but barter or trade to provide for their children .) Half of all children in the world live in poverty . </P>

Total cost to raise a child through college