In Argentina it is Food quota It is one of the most consulted topics in the family and justice sector. It is a fundamental right of children and young people, regulated by the Civil and Commercial Code of the Nationwhich is intended to ensure access to food, housing, education, health and recreation.
However, non-compliance is a recurring problem that leads to numerous legal disputes. To solve this problem, many judges use the breeding basket measured by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INDEC). The data is the jump that occurred in November and is used to determine the amounts since December.
What is child support and who has to pay it?
The feed quota is legal obligation of parents to help support their children when they cannot care for themselves. This obligation does not cease due to separation or divorce and is not dependent on living together.
It includes not only food, but also shelter, clothing, transportation, health, education, leisure activities and everything necessary for the all-round development of the minor.
The parent who does not live with him must make a financial contribution according to his agreement economic performance and the standard of living before the separation.
According to INDEC, how much does it cost to raise a child in December: the theoretical lower limit of the food quota
The National Institute for Statistics and Censuses (INDEC) has published the Evaluation of the breeding basket according to November 2025an indicator that serves as a reference for estimating the monthly costs of educating boys and girls up to the age of 12.
The most expensive section is again 6 to 12 yearswith a total monthly value of $571,106. The basket combines two components: spending on essential goods and services and the assessment of childcare time, calculated using the salaries of staff in private households.
The updated values are:
These amounts show a sustainable increase compared to the previous yearin line with inflation and salary update in the private housing sector. In many dishes these figures act as indicative minimum floor to assess the food quota.
How the breeding basket is calculated and how much each item is worth in December 2025
The breeding basket consists of two central elements:
1. Essential goods and services
They result from the monthly value of the Total Base Basket (CBT) of the greater Buenos Aires area, multiplied by an appropriate adult coefficient that varies depending on the age of the child.
In November 2025 the monthly costs were:
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$142,416 for children under 1 year
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$183,892 for children aged 1 to 3 years
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$234,209 for children aged 4 to 5 years
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$290,537 for children aged 6 to 12
2. Care time
The INDEC estimates how many monthly hours of care each age group needs and rates them according to the “assistance and care of people” category of the private household regime.
In November 2025 the care costs were:
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147 hours – $307,939 (under 1 year old)
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168 hours – $351,930 (1 to 3 years)
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105 hours – $219,956 (4 to 5 years)
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84 hours – $280,569 (6 to 12 years)
The sum of both components results in the total value of the breeding basket, which serves as a central input for court decisions and public measures.
This is how the food quota in Argentina will be calculated in 2025
In judicial practice, the fee is generally set at a Percentage of net income of the parent who usually has to pay it between the 20% and 30% for each child, However, it should be noted that there is no maximum percentage. There is no limit.
The jurors analyze:
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Needs of the minor: from basic expenses to extracurricular activities.
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Creditor’s income: Salary, billing or self-employment.
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Situation of the parent living together: Ability to contribute.
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Current standard of living: Continuity of children’s quality of life.
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Number of children: Proportional distribution.
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Care and visitation regulations: Adjust if the non-resident parent shares more time.
Since this is a percentage calculation, the fee can be agreed upon update automatically, for example, salary increases, bonuses or changes in income.
Age up to which child support is due
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Up to 21 years: in all cases.
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Up to 25 years if you continue studying and have no income.
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No age restrictions In Disability cases This prevents self-sufficiency.
What happens if the child support contribution is not paid?
In case of non-compliance, a number of legal instruments are activated. Initially, payment is usually required, but if the refusal persists, the court may prescribe strict measures such as:
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Seizure of wages, accounts or assets.
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Automatic asset retention.
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Ban on leaving the country.
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Driving license revocation.
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Inclusion in the Register of defaulting food debtors.
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Block social networks or digital services.
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In severe cases, house arrest.
Legal steps to claim child support
If you do not receive payment, you have various legal options:
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Review the approved sentence or agreement: Without a court order, there is no way to pay off the debt.
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Legal advice: a family lawyer, or Access to Justice Centers (CAJ)can guide the process.
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Damage mediation: In some cases it is imperative to reach an agreement.
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Suit: If mediation fails, a trial begins Food trial.
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Execution process: If a penalty has already been imposed and this is not complied with, direct confiscation is possible.
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Coercive measures: from a ban on leaving the country to arrest (in some jurisdictions).
What to do if the parent does not have a registered job?
The obligation exists anyway. In these cases, judges can:
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Set the quota as Percentage of minimum living wage and mobile minimum wage.
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Accept benefits in kind (school, social work, activities), always supplemented by money.
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Take responsibility grandparents (parents of the debtor) in extreme situations if they are economically capable of acting.
The Argentine justice system has several coercive mechanisms aimed at ensuring compliance, but requiring the affected party to drive the process.
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