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Economic Navigator: Georgia’s Roadmap to Remaining Competitive:  The  Georgia Chamber Foundation Releases  the 2026 Edition of the Annual Economic Competitiveness Redbook 

Published January 20, 2026
With Georgia announcing over 400 facility expansions and new projects, $26.3 billion in investment, and 23,200 new private sector jobs in FY 2025, Georgia must continue to invest in infrastructure, talent pipeline solutions, K-12 education, and state-wide partnerships to harness this growth and remain ‘The Best State in Which to Do Business.’
Over the last five years, Georgia’s job growth increased by 20.6%, ranking 15th in the nation. Currently, Georgia ranks 12th nationally for overall GDP growth. By 2050, the state is expected to add nearly 2.2 million Georgians. Sustaining Georgia’s economic growth requires ongoing resources and investment from businesses to strengthen the talent pipeline, reinforce the state’s competitiveness, and help communities thrive.

Georgia’s population is growing faster than originally projected, particularly in rural regions. This growth necessitates continued direct investment and job growth to fuel sustained, future economic growth.

Notably, individuals over 65 years old have become the fastest growing population group in Georgia. As demographics continue to evolve in the state, it calls for greater investment by the business community in succession planning and the state’s healthcare infrastructure to manage chronic conditions.

Georgia ranks 5th nationally for number of business applications, underscoring the state’s highly entrepreneurial climate. However, only 4% of those applications are expected to form within four quarters, ranking the state 45th in business formation. Between 2019 and 2024, business applications increased by over 39%. However, the rate of business realization from applications remains low. To spur increased innovation and entrepreneurship in the state, more capital investment and resources are needed to ensure Georgia remains competitive and to bolster a diverse statewide economy.

As demand for skilled labor grows within Georgia, key challenges continue to persist within the talent pipeline and current educational indicators underscore the need for greater improvement. Currently, 45% of adults in Georgia have an associate’s degree or above, ranking 28th nationally and slightly below the national average of 46%. Only 30% of Georgia’s fourth grade students are proficient or above in reading (ranking 28th nationally) and 24% of Georgia’s 8th graders are proficient or above in math, ranking even lower nationally at 32nd. Ensuring that Georgia’s students gain the necessary skills for career readiness is essential for the state’s continued business and economic success.

The state continues to foster a strong business-friendly environment. For the 12th consecutive year, Georgia remains the number one state in the nation for business and maintains one of the lowest tax burdens, ranking 8th in the country. This low tax burden benefits Georgians due to the state’s affordability and bolsters the state’s economic competitiveness. Georgia has seen significant growth in key industries, boasting the 10th highest number of manufacturing jobs in the nation with 11% job growth expected over the next decade.

Maintaining a robust infrastructure network is critical to Georgia’s international competitiveness. Specifically, investments in trade and logistics are a top priority for the state as growth is expected to increase in the coming years. In fiscal year 2025, the Georgia Ports Authority experienced an 8.9% growth in container trade. The state also ranks 10th nationally in terms of value of freight flow.

While the poverty rate has declined in Georgia, 45% of Georgians are still struggling to afford basic necessities, hampering stability in the state. In 2024, Georgia’s poverty rate declined to 12.6%, down 1 percentage point and marking the fifth largest decrease in the nation. However, it remains slightly above the national average of 12.1%. Continued efforts are needed to address barriers to economic mobility for citizens.

Georgia ranks much lower than other states at 42nd with a 253.50 rate of physicians per 100,000 residents as healthcare talent shortages continue to pose challenges in the state. Rural communities are even more limited in access to specialty healthcare providers with an 86.02 rate of physicians per 100,000 residents. As healthcare demands grow and talent shortages remain strained, more resources are needed to bolster the state’s healthcare system to improve healthcare access for all Georgians.
Georgia businesses and business partners can actively engage in these issues by:
  • Strengthen economic competitiveness and GDP resilience:
  • Coordinate with the Georgia Chamber and regional partners to identify sector-specific risks from global uncertainty and advance a targeted competitiveness agenda focused on productivity, exports, and investment attraction.
  • Support pro-growth state policy and regulatory certainty:
  • Engage early with state agencies and lawmakers to promote predictable permitting, modernized regulations, and streamlined compliance so companies can plan multi-year expansions with confidence.
  • Expand housing supply and improve homeownership pathways:
  • Partner with local governments, developers, and lenders to support zoning and permitting reforms, higher-density options near job centers, and infrastructure investments that unlock attainable housing.
  • Grow the skilled workforce through credentials, apprenticeships, and upskilling:
  • Collaborate with K–12 systems, technical colleges, and universities to scale industry-recognized credentials and apprenticeships.
    Invest in incumbent worker training tied to clear wage and promotion pathways.
    • Using the 2026 Redbook allows stakeholders to align their efforts and priorities with the state’s long-term trajectory, ensuring that businesses engage in a targeted and effective manner.
    Through strategic vision and long-term planning, Georgia’s leaders and partners have created a solid foundation for economic success, but continued efforts are critical for growing opportunity.
    For more information, read the newly released 2026 Economic Competitiveness Redbook.
    The Georgia Chamber Foundation dedicates itself to producing in-depth economic analyses and actionable insights for Georgia’s businesses. Our mission is to develop policy, equip businesses, and foster economic development across the state, ensuring a prosperous future for all Georgians.

    To read our 2026 Economic Competitiveness Redbook click HERE.

    To read our most recent Quarterly Report click HERE.
    Join us for our 5th annual State of Higher Education on February 25th to dive into successful talent development strategies.
    Register now HERE.

    Join Us: National Civics Bee® - Georgia State Finals

    The Georgia Chamber of Commerce Foundation is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and local chambers of commerce across Georgia to host a nonpartisan statewide civics competition.
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