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Regional Economic Reports & Studies

IAE creates extensive and reliable demographic profiles including population, household, education, income, housing, and other characteristics for any standard or customized geographic region. Annual Economic forecasts that project how our regional economy will change in the coming years are also created by our economists. 

2024 Economic Forecast

LAEDC’s Economic Forecast 2024 offers projections for the national, state, and local economy, all with global implications. Read more reports from LAEDC’s Institute for Applied Economics here.

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2022 Economic Forecast

LAEDC’s 2022 Economic Forecast

The LAEDC Economic Forecast includes in-depth research from our team of economists. This report is created for thought leaders and industry experts to highlight items that may impact the United States, California and Los Angeles regional economies.

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The circular economy and the built environment in the LA region: opportunities for Dutch companies

The Circular Economy and the Built Environment in the Los Angeles Region: Opportunities for Dutch Companies

This market study, commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, maps the circular economy in California, specifically focusing on the Los Angeles region. The circular economy is the concept of systematically rebuilding the economy to encourage the continued use of resources and reduce negative impacts on the environment. Core elements of circularity are embedded within each key urban system including water, housing, infrastructure, waste management, and food. State and local public policy aimed at supporting the circular economy is reviewed in the report and the region’s circular industries are studied. Potential public and private partners for circular companies are identified, and past circular project successes and upcoming projects of interest are highlighted.

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Opportunities in Global Commerce: Middle-skill jobs at LA's Air and Sea Ports

Opportunities in Global Commerce: Middle-skill jobs at LA’s Air and Sea Ports

This report studies the changing labor market at the airports and seaports of the Los Angeles County region, the supply of talent for these jobs, and the outlook for the industry including forecasts of job openings in well-paying occupations.  This report is designed to help college faculty, job-seekers, students, employers at the ports, and our region’s workforce development systems. 

This report was is 17th in a series prepared by LAEDC’s Institute of Applied Economics in partnership with the LA/OC regional community college system and its Center for Labor Market Excellence, as part of Center for a Competitive Workforce.

Please check out the graphical presentation of this report at our sister website, CompetitiveWorkforce.LA
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Pathways to Economic Resiliency LA County: Executive Summary (part 1)

Pathways to Economic Resiliency LA County: Executive Summary (part 1)

County of Los Angeles has released a report prepared by LAEDC, with data and analysis of the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, and recommendations for steps the public and private sector can take to improve the recovery and create more widely shared equity.  The report, Pathways to Economic Resiliency, is a product of LAEDC’s Institute for Applied Economics which is committed to LAEDC’s vision of a growing, equitable, environmentally sustainable and resilient economy, that provides a healthy and high standard of living for all in LA County.

THIS IS ONE OF THREE FILES.  Please note the following files are available:

Executive Summary, Main Report, Appendix

Please see the full announcement and explanation of this work at: https://laedc.org/2021/02/09/pathways-report/ 

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Pathways to Economic Resiliency LA County: MAIN REPORT (part 2)

Pathways to Economic Resiliency LA County: MAIN REPORT (part 2)

County of Los Angeles has released a report prepared by LAEDC, with data and analysis of the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, and recommendations for steps the public and private sector can take to improve the recovery and create more widely shared equity.  The report, Pathways to Economic Resiliency, is a product of LAEDC’s Institute for Applied Economics which is committed to LAEDC’s vision of a growing, equitable, environmentally sustainable and resilient economy, that provides a healthy and high standard of living for all in LA County.

THIS IS ONE OF THREE FILES.  Please note the following files are available:

Executive Summary, Main Report, Appendix

Please see the full announcement and explanation of this work at: https://laedc.org/2021/02/09/pathways-report/ 

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Pathways to Economic Resiliency LA County: APPENDIX (part 3)

Pathways to Economic Resiliency LA County: APPENDIX (part 3)

County of Los Angeles has released a report prepared by LAEDC, with data and analysis of the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, and recommendations for steps the public and private sector can take to improve the recovery and create more widely shared equity.  The report, Pathways to Economic Resiliency, is a product of LAEDC’s Institute for Applied Economics which is committed to LAEDC’s vision of a growing, equitable, environmentally sustainable and resilient economy, that provides a healthy and high standard of living for all in LA County.

THIS IS THREE OF THREE FILES.

This Appendix is a data-rich 300-page document, with charts, maps, and a basis for much of the analysis and recommendations in the main report.   This is a great tool for people who want to explore the report more deeply, study its data, and consider additional directions for study.

Please note the following files are available:
Executive Summary, Main Report, Appendix

Please see the full announcement and explanation of this work at: https://laedc.org/2021/02/09/pathways-report/ 

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Propel L.A. Final Report

Propel L.A. Final Report

The economic crisis caused by COVID has revealed a number of stark truths about diminishing economic inclusion and the income divide in LA County, but before recovery planning is complete, it is important to look at the goals our region had set leading up to the crisis, and take stock of how well those strategies worked.

In a new “Final Report” published by LAEDC about the 2016-2020 Strategic Plan for LA County Economic Development, implemented as “Propel L.A.”, the past five years of data were compared to the goals that our region’s communities collaboratively created to drive desired outcomes.  This look at data from 2015-2019 helps us evaluate progress before the economic shock of 2020, which is important context.

View a Highlights Page for a 3-minute read HERE
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Together for LA: LA's coordinated response to small businesses under COVID-19

Together for LA: LA’s coordinated response to small businesses under COVID-19

This report, Together for LA: First Report on LA’s COVID-19 Small Business Response, by Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), is being hosted by LAEDC because we are partnering in the Together for LA initiative to save LA County’s small businesses.  The report  describes a coordinated response to the region’s small business challenges in the face of COVID’s health and economic crisis, describes how this response has evolved, identifies key challenges, and provides insights and recommendations from a diverse range of small business owners and leading economic recovery assistance providers in Los Angeles.  While this report mentions LAEDC contributions to the Together for LA partnership, the report itself is a work product of ISD.  More details at TogetherforLA.org

Thanks to Wells Fargo for its generous funding support for this report.

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WTCLA 2020 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Report

WTCLA 2020 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Report

On May 26, 2020, the World Trade Center Los Angeles (WTCLA) released the report Foreign Direct Investment in California, 2020, assessing the positive employment impact of foreign-owned enterprises in the state and its various regions. The report was created in partnership with the California Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Loyola Marymount University’s Center for International Business. Over 730,000 direct jobs in California are at foreign-owned firms, according the report, underscoring how important FDI and international connections are to the state’s economy.

Municipal budget exposure and COVID-19

Municipal budget exposure and COVID-19

LAEDC’s Institute for Applied Economics has published this analysis of general revenues of the 88 cities in Los Angeles County, assessing the level to which the cities are vulnerable to fiscal shocks as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.  Awareness of these challenges and prudent planning will be critical for all 88 Cities in Los Angeles County.

Collectively, these data serve to highlight which cities may be most in need of state and federal aid in order to maintain essential services, to avoid significant layoffs and furloughs of city workers, and to maintain maximal ability to provide relief efforts to households and businesses, especially those most in need during these uncertain times.

Cities wishing to engage with LAEDC economists to interpret the analysis can contact [email protected]

Media/reporters interested in covering this research, please contact [email protected]

Coronavirus impact on Southern California economy - Estimates of possible unemployment levels

Coronavirus impact on Southern California economy – Estimates of possible unemployment levels

On April 21, 2020, the LAEDC Institute for Applied Economics has published estimates for the Southern California economic conditions in May 2020, estimating a potential unemployment rate of 31.7% for Los Angeles MSA (LA and Orange Counties) and 31.4% for the broader Southern California region.  These estimates will change depending on many factors including policy interventions, and LAEDC will provide an update when further analysis is available.

This report provides county-level data for each of the 10-counties in Southern California, including San Diego, Imperial, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo.

Please visit LAEDC’s Community Connectory resource page on this website, with resources to assist your organization, as well as to request assistance from LAEDC’s team of business assistance professionals.

Media inquiries:  [email protected]

Media inquiries:  [email protected]

 

Media inquiries:  [email protected]

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LAEDC’s initial March 17, 2020 analysis of COVID’s impact on the LA County economy

LAEDC’s initial March 17, 2020 analysis of COVID’s impact on the LA County economy

This research brief was released by LAEDC’s Institute for Applied Economics the first week of California’s lockdown for the COVID-19 crisis of 2020. It provided stakeholders in the region and broader nation with analysis to prepare for the unprecedented and deeply damaging and rapid economic changes, job dislocations and business challenges that we would all face.  Originally circulated as a direct, urgent email campaign to all LAEDC’s network of contacts, we provide it here as an archive of our analysis at that time, which was one of the first comprehensive perspectives to help inform decision makers and households in the LA County region.  The brief includes:

  • COVID-19 affect our LA County economy, its industries, employers and workforce
  • Recommendations and analysis from LAEDC

For post-COVID analysis please see LAEDC’s Pathways to Economic Resilience report which looks at what actually happened in the economy during the first eight months of the pandemic and provides related policy recommendations for a more equitable recovery.

2020 LAEDC Economic Forecast

2020 LAEDC Economic Forecast

LAEDC’s 2020 Economic Forecast examines many factors related to jobs, income, standards of living, and industries in Los Angeles County, Southern California and the entire state. While unemployment and down and wages are growing modestly, there are troubling signs regarding individual prosperity due to low wage jobs, rising housing costs and other factors.  Read more in the full report download, and also take a look at our web story for Key Findings and interesting slide presentations from the event: https://laedc.org/2020/02/19/2020-economic-forecast/

SCAG Economic Update for LA County, by LAEDC

SCAG Economic Update for LA County, by LAEDC

This LA County Economic Update was released as part of SCAG’s 2019 Economic Summit, and produced by LAEDC.  Thanks to SCAG for sponsoring this research and for its leadership in the mega region, which was evident at an excellent event.

Foreign Direct Investment in Southern California, 2019

Foreign Direct Investment in Southern California, 2019

World Trade Center Los Angeles (WTCLA) today published the 2019 FDI Report for Southern California.  Over 10,000 foreign-owned businesses provide 425,000 jobs in the SoCal economy. The data indicates a slight decline in jobs related to foreign-owned businesses, of about 3% year-over-year.  Also, France moved ahead of Canada in terms of job creation by foreign-owned employers in SoCal.

2019 LAEDC Economic Forecast

2019 LAEDC Economic Forecast

LAEDC has published its annual Economic Forecast report, which covers the US, California, Los Angeles County and the other counties of Southern California. The report provides analysis and an outlook for 2019-2020.  More information and presentations from the event are located HERE.

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