Recent Research
Click on the links below to view the most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.
Contributions of College Sports in Utah
Division I collegiate athletics at Utah public universities confer substantial benefits to the community and their respective universities.
Fertility Rates in Flux: A County-Level Analysis of Utah’s Fertility Rates, 2013-2023
The impacts of Utah’s nearly continuous fertility decline since 2008 vary throughout the state. Most county fertility rates remain above the replacement fertility of 2.1, but approximately two-thirds of Utah’s counties experienced significant declines.
Utah 2065: Long-Term Planning Projections
Utah’s demographic and economic future will be marked by significant growth and change. Over the next four decades, projections indicate that Utah’s population will increase from nearly 3.6 million residents to 5.6 million, an increase of 2 million people (the approximate size of Idaho today).
Commuting in Utah: Commuter Flows Between Utah’s Counties, 2017-2021
Most Utahns live and work in the same county; however, between 2017 and 2021, 17.3% of the state’s working residents traveled to a different county for employment.
October 2025 Zions Bank Consumer Sentiment Survey
Utah’s consumer sentiment dropped 8.4% in October, according to the Zions Bank Consumer Sentiment Survey.1 This decrease (from 80.1 in September to 73.4 in October) is statistically significant.
Tax System Design: Administration and Compliance
Tax burdens extend beyond the dollar amount of tax paid and the associated drag on economic activity (“deadweight loss”). These additional burdens include compliance costs for households and businesses and administrative costs for governments. Different taxes incur different compliance and administrative costs.
The Economic Contributions of Utah’s Ski Industry, 2025
Utah is home to 15 ski resorts, including the nation’s largest ski resort (Park City). Ten of the state's resorts are less than an hour from Salt Lake City International Airport.
Degrees of Opportunity: Aligning Education and Workforce for Utah’s Prosperity
Boosting educational attainment, reducing persistent gaps, and ensuring alignment with workforce demands can help expand opportunity and sustain Utah’s economic momentum.
Educational Achievement and Workforce Development: A Review of Community-Based Approaches
Community-based partnerships engage parents and families and align schools, service providers, and communities around shared goals and outcomes; when designed and implemented effectively, they offer a promising way to improve education, health, and economic opportunity for Utah youth.
