Massachusetts: Facts and Figures

Massachusetts’ world-class workforce and educational institutions make the state a central location for the export of cutting-edge technology. Massachusetts’ medical equipment, high tech instruments, and industrial machinery are in high demand around the globe, with the state's exports totaling $77 billion annually.

Job Creation

  • In Massachusetts, 1,100,000 jobs were supported by trade, representing 20.0% of all jobs in the state.1,2
  • In 2023, 9,487 companies exported goods from Massachusetts, of which 87% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2022, 238,600 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.3,4

Exports and Growth

  • Massachusetts exports about $77 billion in goods and services to overseas markets each year. 5
    • Canada ($6.1 billion)
    • Ireland ($5.7 billion)
    • China ($5.6 billion)
    • Belgium ($5.1 billion)
    • United Kingdom ($4.6 billion)
  • Agricultural exports are important to Massachusetts's economy, totaling $240 million annually, according to the USDA.6
  • Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $2 billion in exports from 113 companies in Massachusetts.7
  • The Millennium Challenge Corporation has provided $120.3 million in funding to Massachusetts organizations since the agency's inception in 2004.8
  • Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $1.3 billion in exports from Massachusetts companies.9

Education and Research

  • From 2024-2025, 84,097 international students were enrolled in Massachusetts colleges and universities, contributing $3.6 billion to the Massachusetts economy.10

Global Engagement

  • Since 1961, 8,699 Peace Corps volunteers from Massachusetts have served in dozens of countries overseas.11