A recent study by WalletHub has shed light on the states with the most at-risk youth in 2025, revealing concerning disparities in youth welfare across the United States. With 13% of young Americans neither working nor in school, the study underscores the heightened risks of poverty and violence facing this demographic. WalletHub’s analysis compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 15 key indicators, including the share of disconnected youth, labor force participation rates among youth, and youth poverty rates.

The findings pinpoint Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico as the states with the most at-risk youth, while Iowa, North Carolina, and North Dakota are among those with the least. Notably, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Nevada have the highest share of disconnected youth, a figure 2.9 times higher than in New Hampshire, the state with the lowest rate. Educational disparities are also stark, with New Mexico having the highest share of youth without a high school diploma, double that of Hawaii, the state with the lowest rate.

Health-related issues further compound the challenges faced by at-risk youth. Alabama leads with the highest share of overweight or obese youth, 1.5 times higher than Colorado’s rate. Vermont reports the highest share of youth using drugs in the past month, 2.5 times higher than Utah’s rate. Perhaps most alarming is the District of Columbia’s share of homeless youth, which is 34 times higher than Mississippi’s, the lowest in the nation.

This study is a critical reminder of the uneven landscape of youth welfare in the U.S., emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address the multifaceted challenges faced by at-risk youth. The disparities in education, employment, and health outcomes highlighted by WalletHub’s research call for a concerted effort from policymakers, educators, and community leaders to ensure all young Americans have the opportunity to thrive.

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