ISSUES
Oklahoma combines a strong business-friendly environment with diverse economic strengths in energy, manufacturing, and agriculture. New investments, including in technology, are driving growth, while shifts in energy markets, workforce trends, and national policies make strategic planning more important than ever.
Key Economic Highlights and Trends:
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Ranked #15 overall in Area Development’s “Top States to Do Business” (2025), with #2 for energy costs and #9 for energy availability.
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Energy extraction, manufacturing, and agriculture remain major contributors to GDP.
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Robust private investment: In 2024, 274 company expansions/relocations generated $7.9 B in capital investment and ~30,000 new private-sector jobs.
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AI and data center investments have been a primary driver of recent national economic growth, supporting opportunities in Oklahoma.
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Projected challenges: Oklahoma’s economy is expected to lag U.S. growth through 2026 due to weaker energy markets, slow workforce growth, and declining oil prices.
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Energy employment remains below pre-pandemic levels, highlighting ongoing sector vulnerabilities.
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National and federal risks include tariffs, immigration policy changes, political gridlock, and uncertainty in Federal Reserve strategy, all of which could suppress GDP growth and raise unemployment.
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Sector resilience: Construction, healthcare, and professional services continue to provide stability amid economic uncertainty.
Oklahoma needs to maintain vigilance and adaptability to stay competitive and drive sustainable growth.
