Florida’s economy just hit a new milestone. At $1.8 trillion, it now ranks as the world’s 14th largest, bigger than Australia’s, bigger than Mexico’s. That’s what the Florida Chamber Foundation shared on Tuesday. Over the past year, the state’s economy grew by 6.3%. The Chamber is already looking ahead, predicting Florida will crack the top 10 global economies in five years.
Mark Wilson, who leads both the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation, called this climb “proof that free enterprise works.” He’s right about Florida’s momentum. You see it everywhere, with new jobs, fresh investments, more businesses moving in, families getting chances they didn’t have before.
At the current pace, boosting the economy by just another 2% puts Florida ahead of South Korea, snagging 13th place worldwide. If the state wants a spot in the top 10, it needs to grow by about 21%. That leap would push Florida past Canada.
Sheridan Morby, a senior director of economic research at the Chamber Foundation, summed up what’s happening: Florida’s steady economic growth, expanding job market, and ongoing investment mean it’s becoming a player on the world stage.
The Chamber Foundation isn’t just sitting back. They track this growth closely and plan to publish all the details in their 2026 Business & Economic Mid-Year Report, a snapshot of everything happening halfway through the year.
Florida’s not just about big numbers. It leads the country in several sectors: new business starts, manufacturing job growth, and the migration of both people and businesses. Florida is the nation’s top state for higher education and Black-owned businesses and is the runner-up in the number of Hispanic- and women-owned businesses.
On top of that, Florida has the lowest state debt per resident, and it’s making big investments in infrastructure and workforce talent. In short, all signs point to a state not only growing fast but growing smart.
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