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Arkansas Leads for Fifth Consecutive Year 

Washington, D.C. – Jan. 9, 2025– Americans United for Life (AUL) proudly announces the release of its Life List 2024 State Rankings, highlighting Arkansas as the most pro-life state in America for the fifth year in a row. The annual “Life List” ranks all 50 states based on their efforts to protect life from conception to natural death. The worst states include Vermont, New Jersey, and Oregon.  

“Arkansas’s consistent leadership is a testament to its unwavering commitment to protecting life,” said Bradley Kehr, Government Affairs Director of AUL. “With nine new life-protecting laws enacted, Arkansas has set a powerful example for states across the nation. We are also encouraged by the momentum in states like North Carolina and Florida, which have demonstrated significant progress in safeguarding women and preborn children. AUL will continue to serve legislatures across the country to secure the most impactful pro-life protections possible.” 

Arkansas Family Policy Council President Jerry Cox responded to the news: “Americans United for Life recognized the many pro-life laws and policies our state has enacted over the years. Arkansans should be proud of their state legislators for passing the best laws in the nation when it comes to protecting unborn children, the elderly, the disabled, and the terminally ill. That’s something to celebrate.”  

This year’s most notable changes include: 

Tennessee,secured its spot as the biggest mover on the Life List, advancing from 13th to 6th. The state enacted strong protections against abortion trafficking of minors and allocated funds to pregnancy resource centers. 

Alabama saw the biggest drop of six spots when it declined to protect life in the assisted reproductive technologies space, dropping from 10th to 16th.  

Other states improving their pro-life protections included Kansas, Iowa, Florida, and South Carolina, for additional funding for pregnancy centers; Nebraska, for improved informed consent; and West Virginia, for addressing physician assisted suicide. 

The Life List evaluates states based on key criteria, including abortion restrictions, legal recognition of preborn children, bioethics, end-of-life care, and healthcare rights of conscience. Each state’s political climate and pro-life legislative momentum are also taken into account. 

“Even in the face of opposition, 2024 has been another pro-life year,” Kehr added. “At least 41 life-affirming laws were enacted and the dedication of state lawmakers and advocates ensures that the pro-life movement will keep making progress.”

For more information, view AUL’s 2024 Annual State Policy Report and the complete Life List 2024 rankings at aul.org.  

To arrange an interview with AUL, contact Alison Centofante at press@aul.org or 609-517-7235. 

Since 1971, Americans United for Life (AUL) has advanced the human right to life in culture, law, and policy by equipping advocates and lawmakers with the facts and strategies that change hearts and minds and protect human life. The first national pro-life organization in the country, AUL is a nonprofit, public-interest law and policy organization with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. 

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