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The societal opportunity

If we are to a physically and mentally healthier society, we must invest in early childhood. As human beings, and as society, we thrive when we are connected to one another and surrounded by love, safety and security. The foundations for this human connection are laid in early childhood. Early childhood shapes the adults we become, and the society we create.

Economic impact of investing in early childhood learning graph
Economic impact of investing in early childhood learning graph

A transformative opportunity

Investing in early childhood leads to happier, healthier children, adults and societies. It also brings economic benefits. Nurturing care and positive early experiences help children to develop the skills and capacities they need to thrive in the workforce and contribute to the economy.

Investing in early childhood also improves children’s outcomes, so they are less likely to need additional supports throughout life. This preventative action also generates savings for our public services.

Research by James Heckman, Professor of Economics at The University of Chicago and Nobel Laureate, has shown that there are significant economic returns from investing in high quality support for families in early childhood. Because what happens in early childhood has lasting impacts, investment in this period has benefits that accumulate over a child’s life.

The economic opportunity

£45.5billion

This is the amount investing in early childhood could generate for the UK economy each year​ as identified in the Business Taskforce Report.

What is driving the opportunity?

  • £12.2 billion from equipping people with improved social and emotional skills in early childhood, based on analysis of the potential impact on GDP if non-cognitive skills in the UK were improved workforce were improved to the level of other leading countries.​
  • • £16.1 billion from reducing the need to spend public funds on remedial steps to address the impacts of adverse childhood experiences, based on an analysis of costs to public services such as child protection and health services, that might have been avoided through action in early childhood.
  • £17.2 billion from supporting parents and caregivers of under-fives who work, based on analysis of the economic impact of better supporting women with dependent children under five to work their preferred hours.

• £12.2 billion from equipping people with improved social and emotional skills in early childhood, based on analysis of the potential impact on GDP if non-cognitive skills in the UK were improved workforce were improved to the level of other leading countries.

Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales sat at a table with members of the Business Taskforce.

Prioritising early childhood for a happier, healthier society

Read our report setting out the business case for prioritising early childhood

Read our report