Rising school costs strain household budgets in Mexico, Spain, and Dominican Republic

Families in Mexico, Spain, and the Dominican Republic are facing significant economic pressure due to rising costs for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.

In Mexico, data from the IMCO indicates that essential school supplies are rising faster than general inflation. Notebooks have seen a 4.6% increase, followed by leisure books at 4.2% and textbooks at 3.5%. In regions like Aguascalientes and Toluca, local commerce expects a redistribution of spending, with stationery and uniform stores seeing increased demand, while other sectors may see decreases. In Baja California, the government has allocated 91 billion pesos to support basic education through infrastructure, food programs, and scholarships.

In Spain, the cost of returning to school is at a record high, with an average initial expenditure of 500 euros per student in September and an annual cost of approximately 2,390 euros per child. This has led to a surge in the second-hand market via platforms like Milanuncios, where families can save up to 200 euros per child by purchasing used textbooks and technology.

In the Dominican Republic, parents are struggling with high costs for school supplies ahead of the August 24 start date. Meanwhile, in Mexico's Morelos region, financial authorities are advising families to use budget planning and compare credit options to avoid high-interest debt caused by last-minute purchases.