The latest Kids Count Data Book shows that Louisiana still has plenty of room for improvement when it comes to the well-being of its children. The 2026 report ranks Louisiana 48th overall. Theresa Falgoust, the chief data and impact officer for the Agenda for Children, says that includes an economic well-being ranking that’s dead last in the country.
“A third of kids in this state are in households where the household head is not employed full-time year-round,” Falgoust noted.
Louisiana also ranked low in health and in family and community. Louisiana’s best individual ranking was in education, where it ranked 35th. Falgoust says it’s a testament to the investments the state is making in early childhood education.
“If you get them on the right track early, it will be much easier for schools to do their jobs, when they’re in kindergarten and first grade,” Falgoust explained.
Falgoust says there is a positive to come out of this report – when compared to last year, Louisiana made one of the biggest improvements in the country.
“Louisiana, despite being ranked 48th overall, is improving more than any other state except for South Carolina,” Falgoust said.
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