A new Pew Research Center study links birth rate changes to economic well-being, with Hawai'i being one of the few states studied in 2008 that demonstrated an increase in fertility.

The analysis showed the overall birth rate in 25 states began to decline in 2008 after rising to its highest level in two decades. It said the decline appears to be linked to the recession.

Hawai'i had the highest birth rate change of the states at 2 percent. Hawai'i's per capita income change also was among the top five states a year earlier.