Utah Economy
The Gardner Institute provides analysis and data-driven, context-specific insights about the Utah economy. We prepare in-depth studies on key Utah issues in partnership with stakeholders in the private sector and in state and local government. Our research provides vital information that decision-makers and the public use to help Utah prosper.
February 2025 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment decreased 3.5% to 88.1 in February from 91.3 in January, according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment.
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Federal Deficit and Debt
The federal government spends 39% more annually than its revenue collections, resulting in a deficit ($1.9 trillion in FY 2024).
Utah/Federal Government Nexus Data Summary: Federal Employment in Utah
Nearly 57,000 federal employees work in Utah, consisting of non-defense civilian employees (nearly 22,000), defense civilian employees (about 19,000), and military personnel (roughly 16,000).
January 2025 Utah Consumer Sentiment
Utah’s consumer sentiment was unchanged at 91.3 in January, according to the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute’s Survey of Utah Consumer Sentiment.
Medicaid Funding 101
Medicaid funding and CHIP (the Children’s Health Insurance Program) fund health care services for about 340,000 low-income Utahns (about 11% of Utah’s population). As a jointly funded state/federal program, funding shares vary by state.
Measuring Economic Diversity/Hachman Index
Utah ranks among the top 10 most economically diverse states in the U.S., maintaining its 2022 position as having the 7th highest Hachman Index score in 2023.
The Economic Impacts of Utah’s Fintech Industry
Many factors, including strong economic multipliers, position Utah's fintech industry to grow and play a larger role in the state's economy.
U.S. and Utah Economic Overview
The remarkably resilient U.S. economy continued flying high in 2024. Labor markets softened somewhat off all-time low unemployment, yet overall upward momentum persisted in both the U.S. and Utah economies.
Utah Social Indicators
Utah fares comparatively well on many social indicators. Selected measures come from five domains: economic, demographic, socioeconomic, health, and safety.
Utah’s Agriculture Economy
Agriculture’s contribution to Utah’s GDP in the first three quarters of 2024 came in at $2.0 billion, after facing a mixed year in 2023 with GDP declines to $1.3 billion by year-end.
