What the New “Family Structure Index” Reveals About Hawai‘i

by Eva Andrade, Hawaii Family Forum, April 7, 2026

A newly released national report—the 2026 Family Structure Index—offers a sobering look at the condition of families across America. And for Hawai‘i, the findings are both important and concerning.

According to the report, Hawai‘i currently ranks 26th in the nation for overall family structure, placing us right in the middle of the pack. While that may sound average, the trend behind the numbers tells a deeper story.

Over the past decade, Hawai‘i has experienced one of the largest declines in marriage rates in the country. In 2014, about 56.1% of adults ages 25–54 were married. Today, that number has dropped to 52.1%—a significant shift in a relatively short period of time. 

This matters because the report highlights something we intuitively know: strong families are closely tied to stronger communities and greater opportunity for children.

Hawai‘i by the Numbers

The report evaluates states based on three key indicators: marriage, family stability, and birth rates. Here’s where Hawai‘i stands today:

• 52.1% of adults (ages 25–54) are married
• 63.4% of teens live with married parents
• Fertility rate: 1.72 children per woman

While Hawai‘i still performs near the national average in some areas—particularly children living with married parents—the decline in marriage is a key driver behind our drop in ranking.

A Concerning Trend One of the most striking findings in the report is that Hawai‘i has seen one of the steepest declines in marriage nationwide, falling 16 places in the rankings over the past decade. 

At the same time, the report points to broader challenges affecting our state:

• High cost of living, especially housing
• Outmigration of families to more affordable states
• Cultural and economic pressures that make family formation more difficult

In fact, Hawai‘i is noted as one of the states with the highest housing costs in the nation, making it harder for young families to put down roots. 

Why This Matters

This report reinforces a simple but powerful truth:

When families are strong, communities are stronger—and children are more likely to thrive.

Research highlighted in the report shows that children raised in stable, married-parent homes are more likely to succeed academically, avoid poverty, and experience upward mobility.

For Hawai‘i, this is not just a statistic—it’s a call to reflection.

A Path Forward

The report also offers hope. States that are improving are doing so by creating environments where families can flourish—through:

• Greater affordability
• Strong community and faith connections
• Policies that support family stability

For us here in Hawai‘i, the question becomes:

How do we ensure that our islands remain a place where families can not only live—but thrive?

At Hawaii Family Forum, we remain committed to equipping our community with the information needed to engage thoughtfully on these issues—always with a heart for strengthening families and caring for the future of our keiki.

About the Study

The Family Structure Index (FSI) 2026, developed by the Center for Christian Virtue and the Institute for Family Studies, measures the health of family life across all 50 states. The Index is based on three key indicators: the percentage of adults ages 25–54 who are married, the percentage of teens living with married parents, and the total fertility rate. 

Using data from the U.S. Census and the National Center for Health Statistics (2022–2024), each state is given a composite score benchmarked against the year 2000, when family structure conditions were set at a baseline of 100. 

The report highlights how family stability is closely connected to economic opportunity, community well-being, and the ability of individuals—especially children—to thrive. It also identifies broader national trends, including declining marriage rates and falling fertility, while noting that some states are seeing improvements in family formation and stability.