During the first years of life, children’s brains are rapidly developing, making them particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of poverty on lifelong health, learning, and development. The effects of early childhood poverty are wide-reaching, including reduced access to nutritious foods and other basic needs that support healthy growth and development, as well as chronic stress that disrupts early brain development.
These effects can persist well into adulthood, impacting long-term physical and mental health, school readiness, educational attainment, and even later earnings and the need for public benefits. Across the United States, far too many children experience poverty and economic hardship, with millions of babies facing economic barriers to a strong start in life.
Infants and toddlers in the United States live in a higher rate of poverty than any other age group. In 2024, 1 in 3 infants and toddlers were living in families that struggle to make ends meet.
Approximately 1 in 6 infants and toddlers (16.6%) were living in poverty, and an additional 18.7% were living in families with low incomes (between 100% and 200% of the federal poverty threshold). Nationwide, 8.3% of babies and toddlers were living in deep poverty (defined as below 50% of the federal poverty threshold).
This trend is driven by past and present policy choices that exacerbate racial wealth gaps and cycles of generational poverty. In 2024, 33.4% of Black infants and toddlers (1 in 3), 30.8% of American Indian/ Alaska Native infants and toddlers (nearly 1 in 3), and 20.4% of Hispanic infants and toddlers (1 in 5) were living in poverty. At the same time, 9.7% of white infants and toddlers (less than 1 in 10) and 6.3% of Asian infants and toddlers (around 1 in 16) were living in poverty in 2024.
Notably, disparities in child poverty by race and ethnicity widened between 2023 and 2024. While poverty rates declined slightly for most groups, Black and multiracial infants and toddlers experienced an increase in poverty.
Supports like the expanded, fully refundable child tax credit (CTC), SNAP, and Medicaid lift millions of children out of poverty each year while decisions to limit access to these programs make poverty worse. Infant and toddler poverty remains well above 2021’s historic low, when American Rescue Plan Act-era CTC expansions and other benefits helped protect millions of children from poverty. In 2024, infant and toddler poverty was 2.7 times higher than the historic low in 2021.
This dynamic resource is updated regularly with information about policy implications and implementation across the country.
Though assistance can help families bridge the gap, few families who could benefit from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program’s basic assistance actually receive it.
While research has historically focused on family environments when identifying pathways by which income affects child development, a variety of powerful structural factors can also increase the risk of family poverty.
Families in poverty with infants and toddlers should get cash assistance and refundable tax credits to supplement their earnings.
For infants and toddlers living in poverty, the Child Tax Credit will lead to immediate and lifelong benefits. Read our latest fact sheet to learn more.
Psychological research shows that living in poverty is associated with differences in structural and functional brain development in children and adolescents.
We’re talking about half of families now that are saying, ‘I can’t afford child care,’ or ‘I’m skipping meals in order to feed my kids. And that should be of concern, regardless of your political affiliation or where you live.”
Personal stories make a difference. Whether your family has benefited from programs that strengthen economic security or you work alongside families who have, share what these supports have meant for a child’s growth, a parent’s stability, or a community’s well-being. Record a video or write a short post we can share to lift your voice in our advocacy efforts.
Make it clear: cutting family support programs means cutting off opportunity—for parents striving to make ends meet and for babies counting on a strong start. Contact your members of Congress and local representatives. You don’t need polished talking points—just speak from the heart about why these programs matter.
Share facts and resources about family economic security with your network—friends, family, coworkers, and clients. Help others understand how access to child care, nutrition assistance, paid leave, and income supports helps families thrive. Use social media, conversations, and community events to spread the message.
If you’re a professional, help families connect with programs that build economic stability. If you’re a parent or caregiver, share what’s helped you navigate challenges and support others in doing the same. Advocacy happens not just in hearing rooms, but in break rooms, waiting rooms, and living rooms.
Our federal policy team is deeply involved in shaping decisions that impact the well-being of babies and their families. Stay up-to-date on our latest issues.
Economic security is one of the strongest predictors of long term well-being.
