Child Poverty
About 15 million children in the United States – 21% of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty threshold, a measurement that has been shown to underestimate the needs of families. Research shows that, on average, families need an income of about twice that level to cover basic expenses. Using this standard, 43% of children live in low-income families.
Most of these children have parents who work, but low wages and unstable employment leave their families struggling to make ends meet. Poverty can impede children’s ability to learn and contribute to social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Poverty also can contribute to poor health and mental health. Risks are greatest for children who experience poverty when they are young and/or experience deep and persistent poverty.
Research is clear that poverty is the single greatest threat to children’s well-being. But effective public policies – to make work pay for low-income parents and to provide high-quality early care and learning experiences for their children – can make a difference. Investments in the most vulnerable children are also critical.
Recent Publications
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Approaches to Protect Children's Access to Health and Human Services in an Era of Harsh Immigration Policy
Report, March 2019 -
Basic Facts about Low-Income Children
Children under 18 Years, 2016
Fact Sheet, January 2018 -
Basic Facts about Low-Income Children
Children under 9 Years, 2016
Fact Sheet, January 2018 -
New York State Profile of Young Children in Deep Poverty
Brief, November 2017 -
Basic Facts about Low-Income Children
Children under 3 Years, 2015
Fact Sheet, January 2017 -
Basic Facts about Low-Income Children
Children under 18 Years, 2015
Fact Sheet, January 2017 -
Basic Facts about Low-Income Children
Children under 6 Years, 2015
Fact Sheet, January 2017 -
Basic Facts about Low-Income Children
Children 6 through 11 Years, 2015
Fact Sheet, January 2017