A new report shows North Dakota is one of only 10 states with more births last year.

The report from the National Center for Health Statistics says the state had 8,973 live births in 2008 compared with 8,837 in 2007 and 8,599 in 2006.

The report is similar to one from the Census Bureau earlier this year. It showed North Dakota led the nation between 2007 and 2008 in the number of children younger than 1 year old, with a 3.9 percent increase.

Officials say energy development has boosted the economy and kept young adults in the state.

The new report says other states with more births include Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington and Alaska. The states of California and Florida reported the largest decline in births.

Associated Press