Recent Research
Recently Published
The most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
State of the State’s Housing Market, 2022-2024
The pandemic years created unmatched volatility in Utah’s housing market. The volatility in these past two years surpassed 50 years of housing history. Building permits for residential units increased by 26% in 2021, only to fall by 26% in 2022. These COVID-19 pandemic years now join the Great Recession as one of those unique moments in Utah's housing market. The Great Recession produced 16 consecutive quarters of declining housing prices, while the pandemic produced the shortest and steepest homebuilding expansion and contraction on record.
Fact Sheet: Utah’s Changing Households
The Utah's Changing Households Fact Sheet shows that the state was the fastest-growing in the country between 2010 and 2020, not only in total population but also in housing units and households.
Utah Economic Council Forecast, September 2023
The Utah Economic Council, convened by the David Eccles School of Business and Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, publishes regular economic forecasts related to the Utah and U.S. economies. This includes potential risks to both the state and national economies that the council assesses and weighs.
September 2023 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment rose 4.8% in September (from 71.5 in August to 76.3), according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found that sentiment slightly fell among Americans as a whole during the same time
Utah’s Declining Fertility Rate
Fertility in the U.S. and Utah has steadily declined almost every year since the Great Recession in 2008. Final 2021 data revealed that the U.S. Total Fertility Rate (TFR) increased for the first time since 2014, along with 29 other states and Washington D.C. However, Utah’s TFR remained the same at 1.9.
Fact Sheet: Utah’s Older Population: 2020
In 2020, 381,797 residents age 65 or older lived in Utah. The majority (60%) of these older Utahns were 65 to 74 years old and represent the oldest members of the baby boom generation. The next oldest age group, Utahns 75 to 84, was less than half the size of the 65 to 74 population and made up 29% of the older population.
Medicaid: What is FMAP and Why Does It Matter?
The Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) is the share of Medicaid costs funded by the federal government.
August 2023 Newsmaker Travel and Tourism Industry Outlook Presentation
Utah’s tourism economy has experienced a strong recovery since the pandemic more than three years ago. Visitor spending, jobs, and tax revenue have all surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Utah’s ski industry reported another record year, while the state’s “Mighty 5” national parks and state parks continue to attract visitors from across the nation and around the world.
August 2023 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment fell 5.8% in August (from 77.3 in July to 71.5), according to the Kem C. Gardner Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment. This is Utah’s first statistically significant decline in sentiment since February. A similar survey by the University of Michigan found sentiment fell among Americans as a whole, though the drop was smaller than Utah’s and not statistically significant.
Utah Economic Council Forecast, June 2023
Range Forecast for Selected Economic and Business Indicators, 2023 and 2024