Where Life Is Getting Better and Worse For Children Across America
Summary
A new report shows that child well-being in the United States has declined in most states between 2019 and 2024, especially in education. The report ranks New Hampshire as the best state for child well-being and Mississippi as the worst.Key Facts
- The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Book assessed child well-being using 16 indicators in economic well-being, education, health, and family and community.
- New Hampshire scored highest for child well-being in 2024 with 838 out of 1,000 points.
- Mississippi ranked last with a score of 271.
- Overall, the national child well-being score dropped from 553 in 2019 to 547 in 2024.
- Education showed the largest decline, with 47 states performing worse than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
- About 70% of fourth-graders are not reading at a proficient level, up from 66% in 2019.
- Math scores for eighth-graders also worsened, with 73% not reaching proficiency, compared to 67% in 2019.
- Southern and Western states appeared more often in the lowest rankings, while Northeastern and Midwestern states ranked higher.
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