Utah: Facts and Figures

Utah's exports help to keep the state’s economy strong, with the state exporting over $18 billion in goods during 2021. Nearly 433,000 jobs in the state depend on international trade, with more than 3,500 companies across the state exporting goods. 85% of these companies are also small and medium sized businesses.

Job Creation

  • In Utah, 432,800 jobs were supported by international trade in 2019, representing 20.3% of all jobs in the state.1,2
  • In 2020, 3,537 companies exported goods from Utah of which 85% were small- and medium-sized enterprises. In 2018, 54,400 people were employed by affiliates of companies at least 50% foreign-owned.3,4

Exports and Growth

  • Utah exported $18.1 billion in goods to foreign markets in 2021, a 2% increase compared to 2020 driven by continued economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy.5
    • Canada ($826 billion)
    • Taiwan ($326 billion)
    • China ($285 million)
    • South Korea ($187 million)
    • Hong Kong ($175 million)
  • Agricultural exports are important to Utah's' economy, totaling $475 million in 2020, according to the USDA.6
  • Since 2014, the U.S. Export-Import Bank has financed $158 million in exports from 25 companies in Utah.7
  • Since 1971, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation - which has been modernized into the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) - has invested $67 million in Utah companies for overseas investment.8
  • Since 1992, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency has helped facilitate $67 million in exports from Utah companies.9

Education and Research

  • In 2018-2019, 5,159 Utah students studied abroad.10
  • During 2020, 8,491 international students were enrolled in Utah colleges and universities and contributed $237 million to the Utah economy.10

Global Engagement

  • Since 1961, 1,209 Peace Corps volunteers from Utah have served in dozens of countries overseas.11