WalletHub Study Highlights States With the Most Underprivileged Children in 2025

A recent study by WalletHub has identified the states with the most underprivileged children in 2025, shedding light on the dire circumstances faced by the youngest and most vulnerable populations across the United States. The study, which compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 25 key measures of neediness, found that New Mexico, Alaska, and Louisiana top the list for having the highest rates of underprivileged children. These measures included the share of children in households with below-poverty income, child food-insecurity rate, and the share of maltreated children.

Among the key findings, Louisiana was noted for having the highest child food-insecurity rate, doubling that of Massachusetts, the state with the lowest rate. Mississippi reported the most infant deaths per 1,000 live births, a rate 2.9 times higher than New Hampshire, the state with the fewest. West Virginia has the highest share of children in foster care, 13.8 times more than New Jersey, while Texas leads in the share of uninsured children aged 0 to 18, 7.9 times higher than Massachusetts. Interestingly, Massachusetts itself has the highest share of maltreated children, 11.3 times more than New Jersey.

This study underscores the significant disparities in child welfare across the U.S., pointing to a pressing need for targeted interventions and policies to address the root causes of child poverty, food insecurity, and lack of access to healthcare. The findings serve as a crucial resource for policymakers, advocates, and communities striving to improve the lives of underprivileged children. For more detailed insights, the full study can be accessed here.