News Summary
Rhode Island’s ranking in children’s well-being has dropped from 12th to 19th place according to the latest KIDS COUNT Data Book. The decline is attributed to worsening economic and health indicators, including high levels of children living in poverty and increased obesity rates. Despite these challenges, the state excelled in teen birth rates and has seen improvements in family metrics. Experts urge for legislative action to enhance support for children’s welfare and economic growth in the state.
Providence, Rhode Island – Rhode Island has fallen significantly in the national rankings of children’s well-being, dropping from 12th place to 19th according to the latest KIDS COUNT Data Book published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. This annual report examines a range of factors related to economic and educational success, health, and the overall well-being of children across the United States.
In the previous ranking, Rhode Island had outperformed Maine, which was ranked 15th. However, Maine has also seen a decline, now placed at 17th, though not as drastically as Rhode Island. The top three spots in New England’s rankings were claimed by New Hampshire (1st), Vermont (2nd), and Massachusetts (3rd), with Connecticut at 8th nationally.
The decline in Rhode Island’s ranking is primarily attributed to worsening scores in economic well-being and health. The state fell from 9th to 24th in economic well-being and from 6th to 16th in health. Key indicators revealing this decline include the economic challenges faced by many families and rising health concerns among children.
Approximately 36% of Rhode Island children live in households without a parent holding full-time year-round employment, which places the state in 36th position nationwide for this metric. Additionally, Rhode Island ranks 36th for families spending over 30% of their income on housing, highlighting significant challenges in financial security among its residents.
Despite these pressing issues, Rhode Island stands out positively in one area: the percentage of children living in poverty. With a ranking of 14th nationally, the state defines poverty as earning below $30,900 for a family of four. However, there has been a slight increase in the percentage of uninsured children, rising from 2% to 3%. The rate of low birth weight in the state remained stable at 7.3% of live births, but the child and teen death rates have escalated from 15 to 23 per 100,000, mirroring an increase in the national average from 25 to 29 per 100,000 in 2023.
Obesity among youth is another concerning statistic, with approximately 33% of Rhode Island youth classified as overweight or obese, leading to a national ranking of 35th in this category. When it comes to education, only 67% of fourth graders in Rhode Island are reading below grade level, and 74% of eighth graders scored below grade level in math. The state ranks 37th for high school students not graduating on time, with a concerning 17% rate.
While educational outcomes are an area needing improvement, Rhode Island has made strides in family and community metrics, moving up four spots to 16th place in this category. The state achieved a commendable 4th ranking in teen birth rates, noting just seven births per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19.
Experts emphasize the urgent need for investment in programs that foster children’s long-term success and economic growth. Proposed legislative priorities by Rhode Island KIDS COUNT include strengthening the RI Works Program, establishing baby bonds, and expanding mental health support for mothers and children. Addressing these initiatives could contribute significantly to improving the overall well-being of children in Rhode Island.
The data from the 2025 report utilizes federal data from 2023, employing multiyear averages to enhance smaller datasets for a comprehensive analysis of children’s well-being.
For deeper insights, state profiles and the complete 2025 Data Book are available on the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s official website.
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Additional Resources
- Rhode Island Current: R.I. Drops to 19th Place in National Rankings of Child Well-Being
- Newport RI: Newport Mental Health Partners with Agencies to Improve Child Care
- Providence Journal: R.I. KIDS COUNT Releases 2025 Report Issuing Stark Warning
- Dignity Memorial: David Costa Obituary
- Turn to 10: Rhode Island Kids Count Releases Its 2025 Factbook
- Wikipedia: Child Well-Being
- Google Search: Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT Data Book
- Google Scholar: Child Well-Being Index
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Health
- Google News: Rhode Island Children Well-Being
