The Georgia Chamber Foundation has released its 2026 Economic Competitiveness Redbook, offering a detailed overview of the state’s economic performance and future outlook. The annual report compiles statewide data and trends to guide business leaders and policymakers in their decision-making.
The Redbook analyzes various economic indicators, including state-by-state comparisons and county-level findings for all 159 counties in Georgia. It highlights the state’s entrepreneurial activity, noting that Georgia ranks fifth nationally in the number of business applications filed. However, it also points out that the state is 45th when it comes to the percentage of those applications expected to develop into operating businesses. This gap suggests a need for focused strategies to strengthen Georgia’s entrepreneurial pipeline and support long-term growth.
Chris Clark, President & CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Georgia Chamber’s 2026 Redbook is one of the most important tools to understand where our state is today and our future direction. Thanks to the outstanding work of the Georgia Chamber Foundation, the report once again provides the data and insights leaders across Georgia rely on to make smart, strategic decisions, not just for tomorrow, but for the next generation of growth and economic opportunity in Georgia.”
Daniela Perry, Executive Director of the Georgia Chamber Foundation, stated: “Evolving state and federal policy, rapidly changing technology, and new statewide elected leadership are just a few of the headwinds facing business and community leaders. As always, the Economic Competitiveness Redbook provides high-quality data to enable strategic decision-making by Georgia business and elected leaders to solve our most pressing current and future challenges. The Georgia Chamber Foundation remains committed to equipping our partners, members, and elected leaders with a blueprint for sustained economic growth through our work, including the Redbook.”
Key findings from this year’s Redbook include projections that by 2050, Georgia’s population will grow by 2.2 million people with those over age 65 representing the fastest-growing group. The report also notes that Georgia ranks eighth nationally for tax burden—meaning residents pay among the lowest taxes per person—and places twelfth for GDP growth.
Education remains an area needing attention; only 42.5% of Georgians have at least an associate degree while just 61% of adults participate in the workforce. The report emphasizes that investments are needed to maintain talent competitiveness.
Healthcare workforce shortages are another concern highlighted in the Redbook. Currently ranking 42nd nationally for physicians per capita, Georgia is projected to require an additional 66,000 healthcare workers by 2032 as well as replacements for about 173,000 anticipated workforce exits.
On utilities costs—a factor important for both households and businesses—the report finds that Georgia offers some of the most affordable rates among top GDP-producing states due in part to its regulated market structure.
Founded in 1911 and incorporated in 1915, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce represents tens of thousands of members statewide from offices in Atlanta, Brunswick, and Tifton. In 2025 it launched GEORGIA|2050—a strategic plan aimed at sustaining economic opportunity over the next quarter-century.
A digital copy of this year’s Redbook can be accessed on the organization’s website.
