Recent Research
Recently Published
The most recent research published by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
2022 Economic Report to the Governor (Highlights)
Utah bounced back in 2021 from the pandemic recession shock. The state added a record-breaking 72,500 jobs over the year, recovering the 20,900 jobs lost in 2020 and gaining an additional 51,600 new jobs.
2022 Utah Economic Outlook and Public Policy Summit Presentation
The Salt Lake Chamber and Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute's Economic Outlook & Public Policy Summit is the state's premier economic forecasting and public policy event that is attended by policy and academic thought leaders from across the state.
January Newsmaker Breakfast: Charts to Know in 2022
Gardner Institute researchers shared a preview of top-sheet results from Utah Informed: Visual Intellection for 2022. The charts cover a range of topics including education, demographics, housing, health care, and public finance.
Utah Informed: Visual Intellection for 2022
Utah Informed is a collection of tables, charts, ideas, and schematics to prompt consideration of a compelling trend, spur an innovative idea, or inspire an aspirational thought. Decision makers are advantaged when they understand the past 20 years as they plan for the next 20 years.
2022 Economic Report to the Governor
The 2022 Economic Report to the Governor is the 34th publication in this series. Through the last three decades, the Economic Report to the Governor has served as the preeminent source for data, research, and analysis about the Utah economy. It includes a national and state economic overview, a demographic overview of the state, a summary of state government economic development activities, an analysis of economic activity based on the standard indicators, and a detailed review of industries and issues of particular interest.
January 2022 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment rose by 1.5 points from December to January, increasing to 76.9, according to the Kem C. Gardner Institute’s Utah Consumer Sentiment Survey. This slight increase is coming from Utahns' responses in January of feeling better off financially compared to a year ago and improvements on long-term outlooks.
The State of Utah’s Travel and Tourism Industry, 2020
Utah’s travel and tourism industry—the hardest-hit industry by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic—experienced a healthy recovery during the first half of 2021, particularly in Utah’s rural areas.
December Newsmaker Breakfast: Utah’s Latest Population Estimates
Population estimates for July 1, 2021, released today by the Gardner Institute, indicate the state added approximately 71,936 people since the 2020 census, reaching an estimated 3,343,552 Utahns. From July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021, the population grew by 58,729 people. This annual growth rate of 1.8% is the highest since 2017. Net migration contributed 59% of Utah’s population growth over the past year, up from 49% of state growth the year before.
State and County Population Estimates for Utah: 2021
Estimates for July 1, 2021 indicate that the state added approximately 71,936 people since the 2020 census, reaching an estimated 3,343,552 Utahns. From July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021, the population grew by 58,729 people. This annual growth rate of 1.8% is the highest it has been since 2017. The 2021 estimates indicate a resurgence in high growth as the economy and society return to a new normal during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic.