WalletHub Study Highlights States With the Most Underprivileged Children in 2025
A WalletHub study reveals the states with the highest rates of underprivileged children in 2025, shedding light on critical issues like poverty, food insecurity, and healthcare access.
A recent study by WalletHub has identified the states with the most underprivileged children in 2025, highlighting significant disparities in child welfare across the United States. The study, released during Child Support Awareness Month, compares all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 25 key indicators of neediness, including poverty rates, food insecurity, and access to healthcare.
New Mexico, Alaska, and Louisiana top the list, with Louisiana notably having the highest child food-insecurity rate, double that of Massachusetts, the state with the lowest rate. Mississippi reports the highest number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births, nearly three times more than New Hampshire, the state with the fewest. West Virginia leads in the share of children in foster care, a staggering 13.8 times higher than New Jersey, which has the lowest share.
Texas stands out for having the highest percentage of uninsured children aged 0 to 18, 7.9 times more than Massachusetts, while Massachusetts itself has the highest share of maltreated children, 11.3 times more than New Jersey. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of child poverty and neglect.
For more details on the study, visit https://www.wallethub.com. The study not only brings attention to the plight of underprivileged children but also serves as a call to action for policymakers and communities to prioritize child welfare and support systems.