Outdoor Recreation Trillion-Dollar Industry

Photo by Matthew Hacker from Unsplash

Outdoor Recreation has grown to a trillion-dollar industry in the US.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The 2022 data shows that outdoor recreation generated $1.1 trillion in economic output, comprising 2.2% of U.S. GDP, and supporting 5 million jobs, 3.2 percent of all employees in the country. This industry brings more to the U.S. economy than mining (1.8 percent), computer and electronics products (1.2 percent) and agriculture (1.1 percent). 

Highlights of the National Outdoor Recreation Industry in 2022:

  • Outdoor recreation compensation increased 9.1 percent and employment increased 7.4 percent nationally.

  • Within the outdoor industry, Retail Trade is the largest segment ($153.6 billion) followed by Arts & Entertainment ($144.5 billion) and Manufacturing ($77.6 billion). 

  • RVing was the largest contributor for conventional activities ($35.5 billion) followed by boating/fishing ($32.4 billion), motorcycling/ATVing ($11.5 billion), and snow activities ($7 billion)

Outdoor Recreation in Idaho in 2022:

  • Idaho has the 11th highest share of state GDP in outdoor recreation, making up 3.1% of Idaho’s GDP in 2022.

  • Outdoor activities contributed $3.4 billion to Idaho’s economy in 2022.

  • Outdoor Recreation Employment grew by 6.6% in Idaho, providing over 35,000 jobs and $1.5 billion in wages to Idahoans in 2022.

State Outdoor Recreation Value Added as a Percent of State GDP
Change in Outdoor Recreation Employment
Ashton Caldwell