Children’s wellbeing in the U.S. declined between 2019 and 2024, with children in 29 states faring worse than before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book released Monday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports research, programs and policy efforts aimed at improving the wellbeing of children and families across the United States.
The report analyzed child wellbeing across economic, education, health, and family and community indicators.
The national child wellbeing score fell from 553 in 2019 to 547 in 2024. Fifteen states improved their scores, while six remained unchanged. Five of the seven highest-ranked states were located in the Northeast.
Education Health
Education and health showed the largest declines during the study period. Education scores fell from 518 to 417, driven by lower reading and math proficiency in 47 states. Health scores declined from 624 to 607.
Child and teen deaths increased 8% between 2019 and 2024. The share of children living in cost-burdened households also rose from 30% to 31%, affecting 22.4 million children. The report noted this was the first increase in that measure since 2010.
Mixed Trends
Despite declines in education and health, some indicators improved. Family and community scores rose from 518 to 608, while economic well-being scores increased from 551 to 557.
The findings come as affordability remains a major concern for U.S. households. A recent Gallup survey found rising prices remained Americans’ top financial concern for a fifth straight year, while 55% of respondents said their financial situation was getting worse despite lower inflation.
The report highlighted lower child poverty levels, higher parental employment, improved educational attainment among adults, and higher on-time high school graduation rates. Teen birth rates fell 24% during the study period and remained at 13 births per 1,000 teens ages 15 to 19 in both 2023 and 2024.
Recent demographic data highlighted a continued decline in U.S. birth rates since before the 2008 financial crisis, while surveys have shown many households struggling with rising living costs.
The findings also come as policymakers continue rolling out programs focused on children and families, including the Trump Accounts program and Moms.gov, a federal resource website for maternal and family support services.
Among lower-ranked states, South Carolina recorded the largest improvement, gaining 38 points. New Mexico’s score increased by 22 points, while Mississippi continued to rank last overall despite improvements in education outcomes.
The report said state investments and policies continue to play a significant role in shaping outcomes for children across the country.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo Courtesy: Inside Creative House on Shutterstock.com
Recent Comments