New Mexico ranks as the second most at-risk state for youth in 2024, only led by Louisiana, according to a new report from WalletHub. The state faces significant challenges, including the highest percentage of youth without a high school diploma and high rates of disconnected youth—those neither working nor in school.
New Mexico also ranks high in youth obesity (4th), drug use (8th), and youth poverty (8th). The report underscores the need for more focused efforts to address these issues and improve the prospects of young residents.
Cassandra Happe, a WalletHub analyst, highlighted the broader implications: “A high share of youth who are not working, not getting education and generally stagnating in life can spell trouble for the future.”
The report suggests that targeted policies and community engagement are essential to reverse these trends and provide better opportunities for at-risk youth.
Experts suggest that policymakers and communities invest in educational and vocational programs tailored to local needs. Enhancing digital connectivity, especially in rural areas, and fostering strong support networks are also crucial.
Programs like 4-H, which emphasize skill-building and social capital, are highlighted as effective in reconnecting disconnected youth.
The report calls for a collective effort from parents, schools, and local authorities to provide practical support and encourage education and employment among young people.
As the state grapples with these challenges, the focus remains on creating a supportive environment that offers hope and tangible opportunities for its youth.
At-Risk Youth in New Mexico (1=Most at Risk; 25=Avg.):
- Overall Rank: 2nd
- 5th – % of Disconnected Youth
- 1st – % of Youth Without a High School Diploma
- 4th – % of Overweight & Obese Youth
- 8th – % of Youth Drug Users
- 6th – Youth Labor Force Participation Rate
- 8th – Youth Poverty Rate
- 15th – % of Homeless Youth
For more details, visit the full WalletHub report here.
Our poor children are being left to fend for themselves. They will be blind, deaf and mute sheep easily led astray if we allow this to continue!
Rev. Rico
This pathetic! John, every member of our legislature needs to read this, if they can. This shows how devastating our state policies have been.
How many of these youth are in one parent families? And how many of these families are on welfare? Both play a huge role in these statistics. And how many are ESL learners? Mostly we can say when parent(s) aren’t involved these issues tend to become a problem. No dad in the home leads to discipline problems then to gangs.
I having been in public education seeing the apathy of parents and the opposite of that of parents that came to visit only to want or even demand something for nothing for their offspring. The present environment is a long time coming but is exasperated by a talk a lot, do nothing constructive, selfish and most of all ungodly generation in control and we have allowed it.
Ive got a question about that data — is this US citizens only, or does it include the “open border bonus”?
It’s still a huge problem, but presents additional options for solutions… like, maybe, controlling immigration might help, just as an example. And before jumping to the “give me your tired, etc”, recall that when that statement was made, there was no welfare state draining tax dollars – the expectation was opportunity, not a hand out.
This is terrible, absolutely terrible.
The first thing that needs to be looked at is the parents. If parents are not engaged, the state can’t take over. It seems like everyone expects the state/government to do all the training.
This is PARTY business as usual since marx. This all plays into chaos as control .For decades the mantra of the gov. has been to make the people stupid ,then punish them for it.
Quit voting democrat big government is killing New Mexico we need the private sector to create jobs not government there is no incentive to work when the government gives you everything