WalletHub Study Highlights States With the Most Underprivileged Children in 2025

A new 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 report, released during Child Support Awareness Month, underscores the pressing issue of child poverty, with 1 in 7 children in the U.S. living in poverty. WalletHub's analysis compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 25 key indicators of neediness, including child food-insecurity rates, infant mortality, and the share of children in foster care.

New Mexico tops the list as the state with the most underprivileged children, followed by Alaska and Louisiana. The study reveals stark contrasts between states, with Louisiana's child food-insecurity rate being twice as high as Massachusetts', the state with the lowest rate. Similarly, Mississippi's infant death rate is 2.9 times higher than New Hampshire's, the state with the fewest infant deaths. West Virginia reports the highest share of children in foster care, 13.8 times more than New Jersey, while Texas has the highest share of uninsured children, 7.9 times more than Massachusetts.

The findings of this study are a call to action for policymakers, non-profits, and communities to address the root causes of child poverty and underprivilege. The disparities highlighted by WalletHub's research not only affect the immediate well-being of children but also have long-term implications for their education, health, and economic opportunities. For more detailed insights, the full report can be accessed here.

This study serves as a crucial resource for understanding the geographic distribution of child poverty and underprivilege in the U.S. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies to improve the lives of underprivileged children, ensuring they have access to the resources and support necessary for a brighter future.