Arizona ranks 40th for child wellbeing
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Arizona kids are worse off than most of their out-of-state peers, according to a new report.
Why it matters: Children's wellbeing affects future workforce participation and economic growth, and researchers warn rising costs and safety-net reductions could further strain families.
The big picture: The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2026 Kids Count Data Book measures children's well-being across four categories: economic wellbeing, education, health, and family and community.
Threat level: Arizona ranked 40th overall and, like most of the nation, saw well-being decrease across major indicators post-pandemic.
Arizona's declines between 2019 and 2024 include:
- Children ages 3 and 4 not in school (61% → 65%)
- 4th and 8th graders not proficient in math (69% → 74%)
- Children living in households with a high housing cost burden (28% → 29%)
- Low birth-weight babies (7.4% → 7.9%)
- Children ages 10-17 who are overweight or obese (27% → 31%)
One bright spot: Arizona saw its "family and community" score improve between 2019 and 2024 more than any other state.
- The report attributed it mostly to reductions in teen pregnancies and the share of children living in high-poverty areas.
The bottom line: There's a "direct correlation" between "how states invest in children and how kids are doing," says Leslie Boissiere, Annie E. Casey Foundation vice president of external affairs.