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- Mississippi ranks 48th overall in child well-being, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
- While Mississippi ranks last in health, it has risen to 16th in education.
- Child poverty has decreased, but high rates of low birth weights and child/teen deaths remain critical issues.
- Improvements in education are attributed to strong policies and dedicated educators.
A new national ranking places Mississippi at 48th best for kids. While some areas have shown improvement, the state is listed among a shortlist of those facing the greatest challenges.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation works to ensure that kids across the country achieve better life outcomes and have more opportunities to succeed. Their annual report considers 16 indicators, including economic well-being, education, health, family and community factors. The Children’s Foundation of Mississippi works with them in the state to track data locally.
“By staying grounded in data and driven by what children and families say they need, we canhelp ensure that all young people have the chance to thrive and contribute meaningfully asadults, helping to grow our future workforce, reduce long-term social and economic costs andbuild a stronger society for everyone,” Lisa Lawson, president and CEO of the Casey Foundation, said in a news release.
In positive news, the KIDS COUNT® Data Book shows that the state has made significant gains in education improvements, jumping to 16th in the nation. It’s the highest rank the state has achieved in the 36-year history of the report, according to the Mississippi Department of Education.
According to CFM, the state also has seen improvements in other areas. The percentage of children in poverty decreased from 26% in 2022 to 23% in 2023. The percentage of disengaged teens that are neither working nor in school also fell to 8% in 2023, down from 10% in 2022.
“We know what children and youth need to grow up healthy and connected so they can thrive as adults: Stable homes, strong schools, nutritious food, meaningful relationships and opportunities to learn, play, and grow. Communities that meet these needs are investing wisely, fostering long-term gains like employment and economic growth. Despite the state’s overall ranking of 48th, we are extremely encouraged that Mississippi now ranks 16th in education.
Linda Southward, Children’s Foundation of Mississippi executive director
About 154,000 children live in poverty, and about 6% don’t have health insurance. As of August 2024, half the kids in the state relied on Medicaid’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Health outcomes continue to be a major challenge in Mississippi. The state ranks last overall. It’s also 50th in the death rates for children and teens and the percent of babies with low birth weights.
What states are best for kids?
The 2025 KIDS COUNT® Data Book shows these are the best states for children.
- First: New Hampshire.
- Second: Vermont.
- Third: Massachusetts.
Which states are the worst for children?
The Annie E. Casey Foundation analysis identifies these as the worst states for children.
- 48th: Mississippi.
- 49th: Louisiana.
- 50th: New Mexico.
How does Mississippi rank for giving kids bright futures?
Overall, the state ranks 48th. Here’s how that breaks down by section.
- Economic well-being: 47th.
- Education: 16th.
- Health: 50th.
- Family and community factors: 48th.
Mississippi education outcomes keep getting better
According to a news release from the MDE, the state has made steady academic improvement. The graduation rate is up to 89.2%, an improvement from 75%. It’s now higher than the national average.
“Mississippi’s momentum in education is the result of strong policies and dedicated, effective educators. Our students’ achievements have made the state a national leader in improving academic outcomes. I am tremendously proud that our national ranking for education has steadily climbed from 48th in 2014 to 16th in 2025. Mississippi students have proven once again that there is no limit to what they can accomplish with the strong support of Mississippi educators.”
Lance Evans, state superintendent of education
Other recent rankings include:
- 2024: 30th.
- 2023: 32nd.
- 2022: 39th.
Southward went on to say that recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers will help the state keep making gains.
State keeps last place in low birth weights for babies
According to CFM, the state has ranked last in low birth weights for a long time, “the causes of which can be linked to a lack of or inadequate prenatal care, few birthing hospital options, and a lack of health insurance.”
They applauded the Mississippi State Department of Health for its new Obstetrics System of Care plan. The goal is to work with the public and private sectors to reverse the trend and help families thrive.
Why are child and teen death rates climbing in Mississippi?
Homicide and accident-related deaths have significantly increased, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In 2023, 21 out of 100,000 children and teens ages 1-19 died because of an accident. It was a large jump from 15.2 the year before.
Homicide deaths for that group also doubled from 5.8 in 2019 to 11.8 in 2023.
Suicide rates have decreased slightly since 2018, starting at 4.1 per 100,000 children and dropping to 3.7 in the most recent report.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at [email protected].
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