Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2026 Economic Outlook Predicts Florida Economy Expected to Outperform the Nation
The Florida Chamber Foundation released the 2026 Florida Economic Outlook Report, unveiled during the Florida Chamber Foundation 2026 Economic Outlook & Jobs Summit, offering a data-informed assessment of Florida’s economy and what business leaders can expect in the year ahead.
The report examines what current and emerging trends mean for employers, job creators, and long-term economic competitiveness across Florida. The outlook projects continued growth across all major economic indicators, with Florida’s economy once again expected to outperform the nation. This performance reflects a long-standing trend rather than a short-term surge. Florida continues to rank among the strongest state economies in the country and is recognized by CNBC as the number one state economy in the nation.
“Florida continues to prove that long-term, disciplined and diversified economic strategy works,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation. “The Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2026 Florida Economic Outlook shows that Florida’s economy remains strong, competitive, and positioned to outperform the nation.”
“Florida is entering 2026 from a position of strength,” said Sheridan Morby, Senior Research Economist of the Florida Chamber Foundation. “The Florida Chamber Foundation’s data show sustained outperformance of the national trends, a resilient labor market, and a period of normalization following several years of rapid growth. Slower growth does not signal concerns. It reflects a stabilizing economy that is built for long-term success.”
According to the report, Florida’s economic growth has outpaced the nation by an average of 2.3 percentage points over the past four years and is expected to exceed national GDP growth again in 2026. Florida’s unemployment rate has remained below the national rate since September 2020 and is projected to range between 4.2 percent and 4.3 percent in 2026.
The data also highlights a period of adjustment in the housing market following years of rapid growth. Median single-family home listing prices are stabilizing in Florida, and sales are picking up after a period of high prices and slow activity. These shifts also point to an expected market normalization in 2026.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Florida Chamber Foundation expects Florida to continue outperforming the national economy, though by a smaller margin than in recent years. Cooling but still positive migration and a changing national economic environment are expected to lead to moderate growth. The report emphasizes that this moderation reflects stabilizing population trends and a continued building of Florida’s economic foundation.
Click here to read the full Florida Chamber Foundation 2026 Florida Economic Outlook Report.