Florida has reached a new economic milestone, now ranking as the world’s 15th largest economy. This development was announced by the Florida Chamber Foundation during the Future of Florida Forum and Florida Chamber Annual Meeting in Orlando, where an early look at the upcoming Florida 2030 Blueprint Halftime Report was presented.
“When we launched the Florida 2030 Blueprint, Florida ranked 18th in the world,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation. “Today, we are 15th and gaining ground on Australia. This is the direct result of years of laser focus on free enterprise, principled leadership, smart policy decisions, and business and community leaders working together to secure Florida’s future. Florida’s rise is not just a state story. It is a global story.”
According to findings previewed from the Halftime Report Overview, several key indicators show significant progress for Florida’s economy since the start of its long-term strategy. The state has seen growth in high-wage jobs and workforce expansion—now totaling over 10 million workers, which surpasses the population of 40 U.S. states. There has also been a measurable decrease in childhood poverty through initiatives like the Florida Prosperity Initiative.
The report highlights that Florida leads nationally in multiple economic categories: it ranks first for new business start-ups, manufacturing job growth, net income migration, new business migrations, Black-owned businesses; holds second place for Hispanic- and women-owned businesses; boasts one of the lowest state debts per capita; and is among top states for infrastructure investment and talent growth.
“Florida’s economic success is no accident,” said Sheridan Morby, Senior Research Economist at the Florida Chamber Foundation. “It is the result of businesses, government, and communities working toward a shared vision. The data show clear progress toward making Florida a top 10 global economy by 2030.”
Business and community leaders are encouraged to participate in further discussions about these trends at the upcoming virtual 2026 Florida Economic Outlook & Jobs Solution Summit on January 29, 2026. The event will feature economists and industry experts offering insights into how evolving trends may impact strategic planning.
The announcement noted that while recent data initially suggested that Florida had surpassed South Korea economically, updated figures for South Korea’s GDP have not yet been released. The research team at the Foundation will continue monitoring global rankings as new information becomes available.
The Florida Chamber Foundation describes itself as a statewide research organization focused on long-term strategies to ensure prosperity and competitiveness for all Floridians by following its Six Pillars framework aimed at strengthening talent pipelines, diversifying technology sectors, improving infrastructure, promoting business-friendly policies, streamlining government efficiency, and enhancing quality of life across communities.
