OHIO — A new report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation determined that Ohio’s economy sees a $5.48 billion loss each year due to child care issues.

What You Need To Know

  • A report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation took a look at the state's child care costs

  • They found that the state sees a $5.48 billion loss each year due to issues related to child care

  • They surveyed 512 parents with children younger than 6

The research took place throughout February 2025. It found that child care issues result in an estimated loss of $1.52 billion in tax revenue. They also found an almost $4 billion cost annually for employers due to “childcare-related employee turnover and absenteeism.”

“Access to childcare also allows parents the flexibility to pursue careers or enhance their education or vocational skills,” the report reads. “Consequently, breakdowns in the childcare system result in valuable missed opportunities for children and their parents, who may experience disruptions to their work or education. Despite the well-demonstrated benefits resulting from high-quality childcare, families in Ohio often struggle to access affordable arrangements for their children. This challenge places a considerable drag on the state’s economy.”

The report highlights the 2023 American Community Survey’s finding that 13.3% of Ohioans live in poverty, and the costs for child care are high. For toddlers, the report states the average annual cost of full-time child care is $11,125. For infants, it’s even higher, at $12,351.

“This number represents 17% of a household’s median income ($67,769 in Ohio), and the price of formal childcare forces parents to consider alternative options, mainly informal care arrangements, that may come at the cost of employment and education,” the report reads.

While cost may be one challenging barrier to child care, access is another. The report states that 39% of Ohio residents live in a child care desert.

They surveyed 512 parents, all of whom have children younger than 6. Here are some of the findings:

You can see the full report here.

The report was from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in partnership with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Groundwork Ohio.

“This study is a conservative estimate of the economic toll of breakdowns in childcare coverage impacting employers and the state of Ohio,” the report’s conclusion reads. “The research indicates that access to childcare has a sizable impact on parents’ career development and potential. Without access to childcare, working parents compromise on their futures to meet immediate childcare needs.”