With a major port in Savannah and one of the most trafficked airports in the world in Atlanta, exports are a crital component of Georgia’s economy. Home to major companies like Coca-Cola and Delta, Georgians have seen firsthand the growth and job creation that results from engagement in the global economy. With more than 14,000 companies in the state exporting, international trade supports more than 1.3 million jobs in the state.

Job Creation

  • In Georgia, 1,328,100 jobs were supported by international trade in 2019, representing 20.7% of all jobs in the state.1,2
  • In 2020, 14,048 companies exported goods from Georgia of which 88% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2018, 276,900 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.3,4

Exports and Growth

  • Georgia exported $42.2 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2021, a 9% increase compared to 2020 driven by continued economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.5
    • Canada ($7.1 billion)
    • Mexico ($4.6 billion)
    • China ($4.1 billion)
    • Germany ($2.5 billion)
    • Singapore ($2.1 billion)
  • Agricultural exports are important to Georgia's' economy, totaling $3.2 billion in 2020, according to the USDA.6
  • Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $4 billion in exports from 154 companies in Georgia.7
  • Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $612 million in exports from Georgia companies.9

Education and Research

  • During 2020, 25,057 international students were enrolled in Georgia colleges and universities and contributed $835 million to the Georgia economy.10

Global Engagement

  • Since 1961, 3,877 Peace Corps volunteers from Georgia have served in dozens of countries overseas.11