Children's wellbeing slips across the U.S.

Children's wellbeing declined nationally from 2019 to 2024, with kids in 29 states faring worse than before the COVID pandemic, according to a new report.

Why it matters: Children's wellbeing affects future workforce participation and economic growth, and researchers warn rising costs and safety-net reductions could further strain families.

• "Research shows that kids who are healthy, safe, fed, educated and surrounded by strong family relationships have a much better chance to thrive and contribute as independent adults," says Leslie Boissiere, Annie E. Casey Foundation vice president of external affairs.
• "We know that today's children are tomorrow's workforce so the strength of the economy in the future is tied to the wellbeing of kids today," adds Boissiere, who oversees the foundation's Kids Count book.

How it works: The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual report measures children's wellbeing in four categories: economic, education, health, and family and community.

• The 2026 Kids Count Data Book examines data from 2019 through 2024 to assess the effects of safety-net investments, Boissiere says.

What they found: The overall U.S. score fell from 553 to 547 and children's wellbeing declined in 29 states and improved in 15 others, the report said.

• Five of the seven top-ranked states were in the Northeast.
• Child and teen deaths rose 8% from 2019 to 2024. Boissiere says the increase underscores a mental health crisis among children and young people, though she notes "some positive trends in terms of states that are investing in providing mental health professionals in school systems."
• The share of children in cost-burdened households rose from 30% to 31%, affecting 22.4 million kids. It was the first increase since 2010.

By the numbers: Health scores fell from 624 to 607, while education dropped from 518 to 417, driven by reading and math proficiency declines in 47 states.

• Family and community scores rose from 518 to 608, while economic wellbeing scores increased from 551 to 557.

Yes, but: Boissiere pointed to May data from Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families showing fewer children are enrolled in Medicaid and more are uninsured.

• "Early data does raise some concerns about what's going to happen in terms of child wellbeing and outcomes for children," Boissiere says. "Particularly around the economic security in a time when we know costs are rising for food and housing and basic necessities."
• Eleven of the 15 lowest-ranked states were in the South. However, eight Southern states improved their scores, including South Carolina, which rose 38 points — the largest increase of any state.

Zoom in: The report highlights the direct effect of government policies and funding on the lives of young people even in states that continue to rank near the bottom nationally.

• New Mexico ranked 49th, but its child wellbeing score rose 22 points, driven largely by gains in economic wellbeing.
• Mississippi ranked 50th overall, but scored 448 in education after passing a 2013 law focused on third grade reading proficiency and consistent investment in public schools, teacher training and early childhood education.
• That's "positive proof that when we make direct investments in families and children, that children do well," Boissiere says.

Case in point: The teen birth rate fell 24% over the study period, and it's down nearly 80% since 1990 — holding at 13 births per 1,000 teens ages 15 to 19 in 2023 and 2024.

• "It's the direct result of decades of investment in trying to ensure the teen pregnancy rate declines," Boissiere says.

The bottom line: There's a "direct correlation" between "how states invest in children and how kids are doing," Boissiere says.