KIDS COUNT Shows 7 of 16 Child Well-Being Measures Improved as 47 States Saw Education Declines
Updated
Updated · aecf.org · Jun 8
KIDS COUNT Shows 7 of 16 Child Well-Being Measures Improved as 47 States Saw Education Declines
3 articles · Updated · aecf.org · Jun 8
Summary
Seven of 16 KIDS COUNT indicators improved since 2019, while seven worsened and two were unchanged, leaving a mixed national picture of child well-being in the 2026 Data Book.
Education drove much of the deterioration: three of four education indicators worsened, and 47 states posted declines, highlighting lasting pandemic damage to students and schools.
State gaps remained wide under the new scoring system, with overall scores ranging from 271 in Mississippi to 838 in New Hampshire, showing how strongly location still shapes children's outcomes.
Family and community measures showed the strongest gains, and some lower-ranked states such as Louisiana and South Carolina improved, suggesting targeted policies can lift results even from a weak starting point.
The report said recent federal cuts to data collection, funding and staffing threaten the quality of the statistics policymakers need to track progress and direct resources.
As US child wellbeing hits a new low, how are some states successfully reversing the trend?
With child care costs soaring and federal aid gone, is a 'failed market' crippling American families?
Why are firearms the top killer of American children, a crisis unseen in other developed nations?
U.S. Child Wellbeing Plummets: Key Findings and Policy Imperatives from the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book
Overview
The 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book reveals a significant decline in child wellbeing across the United States, with the national composite score dropping from 553 to 547 since 2019. This troubling trend is widespread, as 29 states saw declines in their scores, highlighting a regression in outcomes for children. Stark geographic disparities persist, with states like New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Utah leading in child wellbeing due to stronger support systems, while Mississippi, Louisiana, and New Mexico continue to lag behind. These patterns underscore growing inequalities and the urgent need for targeted interventions to support all children.