BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota Health Department data show the number of births dropped for the first time since 2001.
State demographer Kevin Iverson says that could be a result of the state's slowing economy due to depressed oil and crop prices.
The agency's annual statistics released this month also the number of abortions performed in the state are at the lowest level since record-keeping began in 1981.
Data also show cancer was the biggest killer of North Dakotans in 2015, surpassing heart disease.
Marriages and divorces were up slightly than the year prior. And Emma and Liam continue to be the most popular names for North Dakota babies.