Louisiana: Facts and Figures

As the shipping gateway to the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana benefits from not only from its own exports but also from its role as a main port for billions of dollars in goods from across the country. In 2021, Louisana exported $76.8 billion worth of goods to international markets, which helped support more than 555,000 good-paying Louisiana jobs.

Job Creation

  • In Louisiana, 555,300 jobs were supported by international trade in 2019, representing 20.2% of all jobs in the state.1,2
  • In 2020, 3,479 companies exported goods from Louisiana of which 84% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2018, 75,800 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.3,4

Exports and Growth

  • Louisiana exported $76.8 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2021, a 32% increase compared to 2020 driven by continued economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.5
    • China ($12.3 billion)
    • Mexico ($7.3 billion)
    • South Korea ($5.1 billion)
    • Japan ($4.5 billion)
    • Brazil ($3.7 billion)
  • Agricultural exports are important to Louisiana's' economy, totaling $1.7 billion in 2020, according to the USDA.6
  • Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $1 billion in exports from 113 companies in Louisiana.7
  • Since 1971, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation - which has been modernized into the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) - has invested $493 million in Louisiana companies for overseas investment.8
  • Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $221 million in exports from Louisiana companies.9

Education and Research

  • In 2018-2019, 2,384 Louisiana students studied abroad.10
  • During 2020, 7,177 international students were enrolled in Louisiana colleges and universities and contributed $250 million to the Louisiana economy.10

Global Engagement

  • Since 1961, 1,214 Peace Corps volunteers from Louisiana have served in dozens of countries overseas.11