News Summary
Florida has dropped from 30th to 35th in the 2025 Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count rankings, reflecting significant challenges in child well-being across the state. The decline in education, economic stability, and health metrics raises concerns about the future of Florida’s youth. Key issues include plummeting student performance and increasing housing burdens, despite a decrease in poverty rates. The Florida Policy Institute urges bipartisan efforts to enhance the wellbeing of children, as budget proposals threaten funding for essential services.
Florida has experienced a decline in its standing in the 2025 Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count child well-being rankings, falling from 30th place in 2024 to 35th place in 2025. This significant drop highlights serious challenges in various aspects affecting children across the state.
The overall ranking is determined by evaluating four key categories: economic well-being, education, health, and family and community. Among these categories, Florida saw its education ranking decrease sharply, plummeting from 5th place in 2024 to 19th place in 2025. This shift is alarming, particularly as it coincides with measurable declines in student performance.
According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only 21% of eighth graders in Florida achieved proficiency in math in 2024, which marks a notable 10% decrease since 2019. Additionally, the percentage of fourth graders proficient in reading dipped to 33%, a 5% decline over the same period. These figures are concerning, especially when compared to the nationwide averages, which stand at 30% for reading and 27% for math.
Further compounding the issues in education, Florida’s economic well-being ranking fell from 42nd to 43rd. Notably, even though the percentage of children living in poverty decreased from 18% to 16% between 2019 and 2023, the number of children facing high housing cost burdens increased from 36% to 38%, affecting approximately 1.68 million children.
In terms of health, Florida’s ranking also worsened, sliding from 31st place in 2024 to 32nd in 2025. The percentage of children classified as overweight declined from 30% in 2019 to 28% in 2023, indicating some progress in this area. However, the state still ranks 29th for child death rates, with a total of 1,377 deaths reported.
Florida ranked 30th in the family and community category, showing some positive change with a drop in teen birth rates and a reduction in the percentage of children living with single parents from 39% to 37% between 2019 and 2023. These indicators suggest a more stable environment for some children but signal room for improvement in others.
The Florida Policy Institute is calling for bipartisan initiatives to invest in the well-being of young people in light of these concerning findings. Moreover, current federal assessments reflect a nationwide decline in reading and math performance, mirroring the struggles faced in Florida.
Florida’s Education Commissioner criticized the NAEP methodology following the release of this data, emphasizing continued debates over educational standards. While challenges remain in K-12 education, officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis, have pointed to the strong performance of Florida’s public universities in various rankings as a silver lining amidst these difficulties.
In light of the current rankings and performance metrics, budget proposals in Florida have raised concerns, suggesting potential reductions in funding for child well-being initiatives that could impact education, health care, and nutrition services for children. This ongoing dialogue highlights the essential need for effective policies that prioritize the well-being of Florida’s youth.
As the state grapples with these challenges, the focus remains on addressing the root issues affecting children’s education, economic stability, health, and family structures to build a stronger future for the next generation.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Florida Phoenix: Child Well-Being Rankings Decline
- Miami Herald: Florida Education News
- U.S. News: Florida vs. New Jersey Schools
- Florida Politics: Higher Ed Rankings Success
- Gainesville: DeSantis on UF’s Ranking
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
