Balanced, Diversified, & Growing

The Lehigh Valley’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached a record-high $40.1 billion* for 2017, growing by more than 5 percent from the previous year. *This figure excludes government spending, which adds 3.7 billion for a total of 43.8 billion. 

The private sector input of Lehigh Valley GDP of $40.1 billion is higher than that of the entire states of Wyoming ($34) and Vermont ($27.4) and of 112 other countries in the world.

The Lehigh Valley ranks 64th out of the 382 largest metropolitan statistical areas in the United States. In addition to strong overall growth, the Lehigh Valley’s GDP grew in every measurable sub-category from 2015 to 2016.

Manufacturing makes up $7.4 billion – or 18.4 percent – of the Lehigh Valley’s overall $40.1 billion GDP. That’s a much higher percentage than its share of the national economy. Manufacturing is 11.6 percent of the U.S. economy, according to the BEA.

The Lehigh Valley is particularly noteworthy for its unusually balanced and multi-faceted economy. Far from depending on a single industry, the top four sub-sectors of the regional GDP are all extremely close to one another, which ultimately means a healthier and more vibrant regional economy. The Lehigh Valley has the most balanced and diversified economy in the entire state of Pennsylvania.

The Lehigh Valley’s gross domestic product has reached a record-high $40.1 billion, and nearly every economic sector saw year-over-year growth.