Girl Scout Coalition of Indiana & Indiana Youth Institute release 2026 Indiana Girl Report

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On Wednesday, Aug. 26, the Girl Scout Coalition of Indiana and Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) released the 2026 Indiana Girl Report, the state’s most comprehensive, girl-centered collection of data regarding the health, education, emotional wellness, and social connection of girls in the State of Indiana.

Launched in 2023, the partnership between the Girl Scout Coalition of Indiana, Girl Scouts, and IYI, aims to understand girls’ realities in Indiana and the variances across regions.

“We know girls in our state have limitless potential when they are given the support they need to thrive, and this year’s report demonstrates important progress while highlighting what continues to be at stake,” Girl Scouts of Central Indiana CEO Deana Potterf said. “In order for girls to flourish, they need parents and caregivers, youth-serving organizations, community leaders, and policy makers to create the right environment. The Indiana Girl Report offers critical data on the experiences of Hoosier girls, and it’s important to take the time to read this year’s report and do your part to help our girls succeed.”

The 2026 Indiana Girl Report focuses on four dimensions of wellness established by the Girl Scout Coalition of Indiana. The four dimensions studied include physical, academic, emotional, and social well-being, which are all critical factors in helping girls thrive.

While girls in Indiana are demonstrating many strengths across some of the dimensions of well-being in this year’s report, the data reveals a more complex story beneath these strengths that requires more attention.

• Academic: Indiana girls’ high school graduation rates reached 92.3 percent, the highest level in the last decade. Yet fewer than one in four girls met state proficiency standards in mathematics, science, or social studies.
• Physical: While most Indiana girls have access to health insurance and regular checkups, affordability remains a concern and 13.5 percent of girls do not have health insurance which is higher than all the states bordering Indiana.
• Emotional: Indiana girls benefit from many protective factors that support emotional wellness such as trusted adults, supportive neighborhoods, and strong peer relationships. But girls report higher levels of sadness, hopelessness, suicide-related thoughts, body image concerns, and eating-related behaviors than their male peers. Additionally, 25.8 percent of girls aged 6 to 17 are very or somewhat concerned with their body image, size, or weight compared to 18.9 percent of boys the same age.
• Social: Indiana girls are highly engaged in organized activities, volunteerism, and community organizations. But noticeable social risks still impact girls more than their male peers including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), family conflict, dating violence, sexual violence, bullying, and substance-use-related risks.

“We believe in the power of data beyond its ability to inform, but also to inspire meaningful action. The evidence in this report tells part of a larger story, one that highlights the strengths of Indiana’s girls, the opportunities they deserve, and the barriers they continue to face,” IYI President and CEO Tami Silverman said. “The 2026 Indiana Girl Report reminds us that girls thrive when they have opportunities to build skills, develop meaningful connections, and participate in experiences that support their growth and well-being.”

The Indiana Girl Report includes girl-specific data by sub-groups, inclusive of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, age, mental, and physical ability. In addition to sub-groups, the report analyzes data by specific multi-year trends related to emotional health indicators, physical health indicators, academic performance, and social wellness, and data sourced from IYI’s Indiana KIDS COUNT Data Book. This report provides the most recent data and research from state partner agencies, peer-reviewed journals, national and state level surveys, as well as credible national entities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Girl Scout Coalition of Indiana was founded and inspired by the six Girl Scout councils serving Indiana: Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana, Girl Scouts of Southwest Indiana, and Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. As one of the only coalitions of its kind across the country, the Girl Scout Coalition of Indiana is focused on its aligned vision to see every girl in Indiana live her best life physically, academically, emotionally, and socially.

A full copy of the 2026 Indiana Girl Report can be found at GirlCoalitionIndiana.org, along with a digital dashboard that additionally serves as an open data resource for the public.