WalletHub, the site specialized in financial and economic information, carried out a study in which it considered 15 key metrics to know in which US states young people have better or worse conditions to developfinding that due to their differences, Louisiana and Massachusetts were located at opposite poles of the list, as the least and the most suitable, respectively.
“Growing up can be hard. Without a stable home, positive role models, and tools for success, many young Americans fall behind their peers and experience a difficult transition into adulthoodsays the report. “Unfortunately, 16% of people between the ages of 18 and 24 do not work or attend school. Others suffer from poor health conditions that hinder their ability to develop physically or socially.
These problems not only affect young people later in life, but are also detrimental to society as a whole. For example, WalletHub highlights that at least 77% of today’s young adults are ineligible to join the US military because they have no academic, moral or health qualifications.
Furthermore, research shows that when young people grow up in environments with economic problems and a lack of role models, are at higher risk of poverty, early pregnancy and violence, especially in adulthood: “The environment is even tougher for these young Americans in 2023, with skyrocketing inflation and other economic hardships.”
To determine where young Americans are not doing as well as others in the same age group, WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia on 15 key indicators of youth risk. The data set ranges from the proportion of unconnected youth (those not in school, not working, and without a degree beyond a high school diploma) to the labor force participation rate among youth, the youth poverty rate, and health (obesity, addictions, mental and physical health, etc.).
Each metric was scored, and a score out of 100 was awarded representing the highest level of youth risk.
With the exception of “Total Score,” all categories in the table represent the relative rank for that state, with a rank of 1 representing the worst conditions for that metric category.
States with the most idle youth:
State: (1) Louisiana
Total score: 69.84
Education and Employment: 1
Health: 13
State: (2) Mississippi
Total score: 68.76
Education and Employment: 2
Health: 5
State: (3) West Virginia
Total score: 66.31
Education and Employment: 4
Health: 1
State: (4) Alaska
Total score: 64.83
Education and Employment: 5
Health: 3
State: (5) New Mexico
Total score: 60.70
Education and Employment: 3
Health: 27
In counterpart:
State: (47) Virginia
Total score: 31.59
Education and Employment: 46
Health: 47
State: (48) Utah
Total score: 31.41
Education and Employment: 45
Health: 48
State: (49)New Jersey
Total score: 30.50
Education and Employment: 48
Health: 42
State: (50)New Hampshire
Total score: 27.25
Education and Employment: 51
Health: 23
State: (51) Massachusetts
Total score: 25.95
Education and Employment: 50
Health: 39
For more details of the study and the methodology, click here.
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