The University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, housed in the David Eccles School of Business, is Utah’s premier economic and public policy research institute. We develop and share economic, demographic, public finance, and public policy research that sheds light and helps state leaders make informed decisions. We serve as a vital gathering place for policy leadership that benefits all Utahns.
Recent Research
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.
