Ohio is reaching out across the world to grow its economy, but its heartland location is what makes it such an attractive place to do business. With its world-class rail line and airport infrastructure, Ohio exported over $56.4 billion worth of goods and services in 2022. As a result, international trade supports more than 1.4 million goodpaying Ohio jobs.

Job Creation

  • In Ohio, 1,401,200 jobs were supported by international trade in 2019, representing 19.6% of all jobs in the state.1,2
  • In 2020, 15,534 companies exported goods from Ohio of which 88% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2018, 303,300 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.3,4

Exports and Growth

  • Ohio exported $50.4 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2021, a 12% increase compared to 2020 driven by continued economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.5
    • Canada ($19.7 billion)
    • Mexico ($7.3 billion)
    • Japan ($3.2 billion)
    • China ($2.9 billion)
    • Brazil ($2.1 billion)
  • Agricultural exports are important to Ohio's' economy, totaling $5 billion in 2020, according to the USDA.6
  • Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $6 billion in exports from 225 companies in Ohio.7
  • Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $263 million in exports from Ohio companies.9

Education and Research

  • During 2020, 31,146 international students were enrolled in Ohio colleges and universities and contributed $1 billion to the Ohio economy.10

Global Engagement

  • Since 1961, 7,720 Peace Corps volunteers from Ohio have served in dozens of countries overseas.11