U.S. States See Progress, Setbacks in Child Well-Being in 2025 Report
The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released the 2025 KIDS COUNT® Data Book. Published annually, the resource tracks child well-being across the country and presents national and state data across 16 indicators in four domains — economic well-being, education, health and family and community factors — and ranks the states according to how children are faring overall and by domain.
Download the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book
In its 36th year of publication, the Data Book reports that New England states New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts rank first, second and third for overall child well-being; while Mississippi, Louisiana and New Mexico rank 48th, 49th and 50th. Between 2022 and 2023, indicators improved for several states in the Midwest:
- Illinois saw a drop in childhood poverty rates.
- Eighth grade math proficiency improved in Kansas.
- More Wisconsin kids had health insurance.
- The teen birth rate fell in Michigan.
These reliable national- and state-level data can help leaders see where progress is happening, where greater support is needed and which strategies are making a difference. By offering both a big-picture view and a local road map, the Data Book equips policymakers, advocates and communities with the information they need to make decisions that help kids and young people thrive throughout their lives.
Child Well-Being Trends in 2025: Progress and Setbacks
This year’s trends paint a complex picture: steady progress in some areas, setbacks in others and persistent opportunities to do better for kids and their families. Since 2019, seven of the 16 key indicators have improved, six have worsened and three have not changed.
Positive trends include:
- reductions in child poverty and children living in high-poverty areas;
- drops in teen births;
- increases in health insurance coverage;
- higher levels of parental employment and education; and
- a rise in on-time high school graduation.
However, the number of teenagers disconnected from school or work has risen sharply, academic outcomes are still worse than before the COVID-19 pandemic and, most concerning, more young people are dying. Many of these shifts reflect decades-long trends, while others highlight the resilience of kids and families after pandemic setbacks — and the success of pandemic-era policies in strengthening support for those who needed it most.
“To truly become a country that equips every child to thrive as adults, our leaders need focus, creativity and commitment,” said Lisa Lawson, president and CEO of the Casey Foundation. “The Data Book’s findings call on leaders at every level to act boldly to build a strong future, relying on what we know works.”
Geographic Gaps in Child Health and Well-Being
The Data Book also shows that where a child lives matters for their health and quality of life. Geographic disparities around the country have persisted for years, shaped by differences in state and local policies, economic conditions, infrastructure, resources, neighborhood characteristics and community investment. The Data Book shows these realities are reflected at the state level and within communities:
- In 2023, nearly 1.2 million teenagers ages 16 to 19 were not in school and not working, a 5% increase since 2019.
- Academic performance worsened, with nearly three-quarters of students across the nation not proficient in basic skills.
- In 2024, 73% of eighth graders were not proficient in math, a 9% increase since 2019, and 70% of fourth graders were not proficient in reading, a 6% increase. This continues the trends identified in the 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book, which highlighted the unprecedented learning loss during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and the toll of chronic absenteeism on academic performance.
- High school graduation rates improved between the 2018–19 and 2021–22 school years, with a 7% drop in the share of students not graduating on time.
- The birth rate among teenagers ages 15–19 dropped by 24% between 2019 and 2023.
- The number of children living in high-poverty areas fell by 28% between 2014–18 and 2019–23. However, in 2023, 16% of children — more than 11 million young people — were still living in poverty. Nearly 1 in 3 children lived in households burdened by high housing costs, reflecting significant financial pressure on families.
- In 2023, 95% of children had health insurance, an increase from 94% in 2019 and an encouraging milestone that shows what is possible with strong, coordinated policies.
- Deaths among children and teenagers increased by 16% between 2019 and 2023.
How to Help Kids Thrive
The Casey Foundation encourages policymakers, school leaders and educators to unite in helping children and families thrive. We know what kids need to grow up healthy and connected: stable homes, strong schools, nutritious food, meaningful relationships and opportunities to learn, play and grow. Programs that meet these needs are smart investments, fostering long-term gains like employment and economic growth.
“By staying grounded in data and driven by what children and families say they need, we can help ensure that all young people have the chance to thrive and contribute meaningfully as adults, helping to grow our future workforce, reduce long-term social and economic costs and build a stronger society for everyone,” Lawson said.
