Oklahoma: Facts and Figures

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