Oklahoma’s manufactured goods are in demand across the world, from Japan to Mexico. The state exported a total of $6.2 billion worth of goods in 2021, which helped support more than 436,000 Oklahoma jobs.
Job Creation
In Oklahoma, 436,300 jobs were supported by international trade in 2019, representing 18.7% of all jobs in the state.1,2
In 2020, 2,996 companies exported goods from Oklahoma of which 84% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2018, 59,300 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.3,4
Exports and Growth
Oklahoma exported $6.2 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2021, a 15% increase compared to 2020 driven by continued economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.5
Canada ($1.6 billion)
Mexico ($742 million)
Germany ($650 million)
Japan ($304 million)
South Africa ($290 million)
Agricultural exports are important to Oklahoma's' economy, totaling $1.9 billion in 2020, according to the USDA.6
Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $567 million in exports from 56 companies in Oklahoma.7
Since 1971, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation - which has been modernized into the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) - has invested $732 million in Oklahoma companies for overseas investment.8
Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $63 million in exports from Oklahoma companies.9
Education and Research
In 2018-2019, 3,301 Oklahoma students studied abroad.10
During 2020, 7,328 international students were enrolled in Oklahoma colleges and universities and contributed $222 million to the Oklahoma economy.10
Global Engagement
Since 1961, 1,416 Peace Corps volunteers from Oklahoma have served in dozens of countries overseas.11
