The well-being of young people varies greatly across the country, with some states facing higher risks. A study by WalletHub identifies the states with the most at-risk youth. It sheds light on these regions’ challenges in supporting their younger populations.
Louisiana
Louisiana ranks number one in this list with a total score of 66.53. The state ranks 1st in education and employment. It indicates a poor education system fails to engage the youth, leading to higher dropout rates. Limited job opportunities push many young people into idleness. While health issues are less severe in this state with a rank of 27th, they still contribute to youth disengagement from work and education.
New Mexico
New Mexico ranks 2nd as an at-risk youth state, scoring 64.68. Its 3rd in education and employment highlights how the state struggles to retain students. Its weak job market offers few prospects for young people. New Mexico ranks 16th in health issues. Although this rank is not severe, it further complicates youth engagement in work and school.
West Virginia
West Virginia scores 61.84, ranking 3rd overall. It’s 4th in education and employment issues and 14th in health problems. The state’s declining industries leave few job options for the youth. Poor education quality fails to prepare young people for available jobs. Health issues, including substance abuse, further lead to youth idleness in this state.
Alaska
Alaska ranks 4th with a score of 61.56. The state ranks 5th in education and employment issues, This highlights the state’s remote nature in limiting educational and job opportunities for young people. Its 8th rank in health problems indicates the health challenges people face due to the harsh living conditions.
Arkansas
Arkansas scores 61.36, ranking 5th in terms of the state comprising youth-at-risk. Its 7th in education and employment indicates how the education system fails to adequately prepare the youth for the job market. It also highlights the limited economic opportunities that lead to high youth unemployment. Arkansas’s rank of 9th in health issues, including obesity, further results in youth idleness.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma ranks 6th with a score of 60.16. It is 8th in education and employment issues and 12th in health problems. The state’s education system struggles to keep the youth engaged. A lack of diverse job opportunities pushes many young people into idleness. Though not severe, health challenges still impact youth participation in work and education.
Mississippi
Mississippi scores 59.76, and ranks 7th overall for youth-at-risk. Its 2nd in education and employment rank showcases the state’s poor education system and limited job market that leave many youths idle. Despite a better health ranking of 42nd, the state’s poverty and lack of opportunities contribute significantly to youth disengagement.
Montana
Montana ranks 8th with a score of 58.05. The state is 17th in education and employment issues but 2nd in health problems. While education is less problematic in this state, limited job opportunities in rural areas lead to youth idleness. Severe health issues, including mental health and substance abuse, significantly impact youth engagement when it comes to education and work.
Wyoming
Wyoming scores 57.80, ranking 9th. Its 12th in education and employment issues highlights the state’s boom-and-bust economy. The state does not have a stable job market for youth. Plus, limited higher education options push many people to leave, contributing to idleness. Wyoming ranks 6th in health problems which complicates youth engagement.
Oregon
Oregon ranks 10th with youth-at-risk with a score of 55.74. Its 16th rank in education and employment showcases the state’s struggle to prepare youth for jobs. Youth unemployment is a result of economic differences between rural and urban areas. Its health rank of 11th highlights further challenges that contribute to youth disengagement.
Alabama
Alabama scores 53.63, ranking 11th in the list of youth-at-risk in the country. It is 9th in education and employment and 30th in health problems. The state’s education system fails to prepare the youth for the modern job market adequately. Limited economic diversification leaves few opportunities for young people. While health issues are less severe, poverty leads to youth idleness in this state.
Arizona
Arizona ranks 12th with a score of 53.16. The state ranks 18th in education and employment issues but 7th in health problems. The state’s education system struggles to engage the diverse student populations. A competitive job market leaves many youths unemployed. Significant health challenges, including mental health issues, contribute to youth disengagement.
South Carolina
South Carolina scores 52.94, ranking 13th in the list of states with at-risk youth. The state ranks 6th in education and employment issues. It showcases how the state’s education system fails to prepare youth for jobs in the country. Limited economic opportunities in rural areas lead to further unemployment among the youth. Its health rank of 36th is significantly better. However, it still impacts the youth, leading to idleness.
Nevada
Nevada ranks 14th with a score of 51.75. Its 10th in education and employment issues highlights the state’s tourism-dependency economy which offers limited career paths for the youth. Education quality varies widely, leaving many unprepared for work. Its health rank of 31st indicates less severe issues in the state which still impacts youth idleness.
Ohio
Ohio scores 51.70, ranking 15th among the states with youth-at-risk. It ranks 26th in education and employment. This indicates that while education is less problematic, the state’s declining industrial base leaves few opportunities for the youth. Ohio ranks 4th in terms of health problems which highlights severe health issues in the state. It includes the opioid crisis which significantly impacts youth engagement in work as well as education.
Kentucky
Kentucky ranks 16th with a score of 50.79. It is 13th in education and employment issues and 29th in health problems. The state’s education system struggles to prepare youth for modern jobs. A lack of economic disparity in rural regions causes youth unemployment. Although the health challenges are not severe in this state, they still contribute to youth idleness.