A Mixed Picture: The State of Child Well-Being in 2026
The 2026 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, paints a complicated picture of life for children across the United States. Since 2019, the country has seen progress in some areas, yet significant hurdles remain that affect millions of families.
Overall, out of 16 key indicators, seven have improved, seven have worsened, and two have stayed the same.
Bright Spots: Where We Are Seeing Progress
Despite broader challenges, there are clear signs of improvement driven by economic recovery and targeted policies:
- Stronger Family and Community Outcomes: This domain saw the most consistent progress. Teen birth rates have dropped 24%—a trend that has been falling for years—and fewer children are living in high-poverty neighborhoods.
- Economic Gains: While the progress is described as fragile, there have been nationwide declines in child poverty, along with increases in parental employment and higher educational attainment.
- Health and Education Milestones: We have seen a slight decrease in the share of children who are overweight or obese, and on-time high school graduation rates have improved.
The Education Crisis
Education remains the most concerning area in the report. With three out of four education indicators worsening since 2019, it is clear that pandemic-related disruptions left a deep mark on students and schools. Across 47 states, education scores have declined, as reading and math proficiency levels have dropped and preschool participation has fallen.
Persistent Health and Economic Hurdles
While some areas have improved, other data points remain alarming:
- Health Coverage: In 2024, 4.6 million children in the U.S. lacked health insurance. After a temporary boost during the pandemic, coverage rates have returned to 2019 levels, leading to missed opportunities for basic preventative care.
- Housing Costs: For the first time since 2010, the share of children living in households burdened by high housing costs has increased, reaching 31% of children nationwide.
- Disconnected Youth: Over 1.2 million teens are currently disconnected from both school and work.
The Reality in Texas
The report highlights a sobering outlook for Texas, which ranks 44th in overall child well-being. Texas currently holds the highest uninsured rate for children in the nation, with 1.1 million children—or 14% of all kids in the state—lacking health coverage.
Academic challenges are also significant: 76% of Texas 8th graders are scoring below proficient in math, and 33% of children are living in households burdened by housing costs.
However, there is a silver lining in the Lone Star State. Texas saw a major boost in the family and community domain, driven by a 25% drop in teen births and improved high school graduation rates. The state currently ranks 3rd nationally for its on-time graduation rate, with only 9% of students failing to graduate on schedule.
Geography matters
Where a child grows up continues to play a major role in their future. There is a massive gap in well-being scores across the country, ranging from 271 in Mississippi to 838 in New Hampshire.
Regional trends persist, with many of the lowest-scoring states concentrated in the South, while the Northeast holds many of the highest-scoring states. However, the report makes one thing clear: every state, regardless of its current ranking, has significant room to improve. Whether through narrowing the education gap or ensuring every child has access to healthcare, the data shows that targeted investments and policy changes are essential to creating better outcomes for the next generation.
