Survey dives into DINK lifestyle, highlighting what they spend their money on

Laura Hampson
Updated ·2-min read
Stock image of a couple, representative of those who fall in the DINK category.
Those who fall in the DINK category are citing financial strain as the reason for not having kids. (Getty Images)

You’ve probably heard the term ‘DINK’ thrown around by now, be it on social media, in the pub or on an online forum.

But, for those who don’t know what the acronym means, DINK stands for ‘Dual Income, No Kids’.

A new survey has found that one in eight adults fall into the DINK category, and that a further two in five (39%) don’t plan on having children in the future.

With the cost of living crisis pricing many out of food, bills, and owning a home, it seems people are being priced out of having children, too, as a quarter of the DINK identifiers surveyed (26%) cited financial strain as the main reason why they are unlikely to have children.

This is despite the survey, commissioned by Forbes Advisor, finding that, on average, a DINK earns 6% more money on average per household than couples with kids.

The survey also found that DINKs have more outgoings each month than the average household - spending £2,101 per month, compared to the national household average of £1,926 per month.

Asia, Indonesia, Bali, Young couple riding classic scooter along minor treelined road near Ubud.
Over half of those in the DINK category prefer to spend their disposable income on holidays. (Getty Images)

Other reasons why DINKs are opting out of having children include:

  • They ‘like their life how it is’ (23%)

  • They don’t think it’s fair to bring a child into the world given problems with the climate, politics and the economy (19%)

  • They would rather focus on their career (16%)

  • They have been ‘put off’ having children by their family and friends oversharing on social media (6%)

What are those in the DINK category spending their money on?

Two-thirds (63%) like to spend cash on going out for food and drinks, 56% put money into savings, while 54% spend their disposable income on holidays.

Other outgoings include:

  • buying technology (46%)

  • hobbies like sports, crafting or gaming (44%)

  • day trips (43%)

  • home improvements (40%)

Declining birth rates in UK

According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), birth rates in England and Wales have been decreasing since 2015, apart from a small uptick in 2021.

They first began decreasing at a rapid rate in the 1960s, after contraception pills were introduced and the abortion laws were changed.

Birth rate trends over the past century show a steady decrease from the mid-noughties. (ONS)
Birth rate trends over the past century show a steady decrease from the mid-noughties. (ONS)

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