A closer look at child poverty in the South

The Gist: Child poverty remains a pressing issue in the U.S., with Southern states like Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia topping the list for states with the most underprivileged children.

What Happened?: In a recent report by the personal-finance website WalletHub, states were ranked based on the condition of underprivileged children. The study took into account 26 key measures of neediness, including child food-insecurity rates, infant deaths, and the share of maltreated children.

By The Numbers:

• Louisiana sees a child food-insecurity rate of 21.6%, nearly three times higher than North Dakota’s 7.50%.
• Mississippi reports nine infant deaths per 1,000 live births, three times more than North Dakota’s 3.
• West Virginia has 1.95% of its children in foster care, a staggering 12.2 times higher than New Jersey’s 0.16%.

Why It Matters: The South, historically known for its economic disparities, continues to grapple with child poverty and related issues. The welfare of children is a reflection of a state’s overall health and future potential. These numbers underscore the urgent need for intervention and support in these regions.

Go Deeper: For more details on the report and to see how other states fare, visit WalletHub.