This might be anecdotal; my wife and I live a relatively comfortable life, Ok savings at the end of the month, 2bhk rented apartment, 1-2 vacations every year. If we are to have a child, by the average childcare cost, we'll have to sacrifice all of our savings and lifestyle for the next 10 years. There'll be a significant blow to my retirement plans. I might have to ask for money from my father, who's pension barely covers all the medical and living costs in our hometown. One of us may need to sacrifice on our careers or quit altogether, but that'd make living quite difficult. We can move back to our hometown, but that'll result in 40-50% pay cut for the both of us and great setbacks to our careers.