The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has published new statistics on the outdoor recreation economy for 2022, covering all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data indicates that outdoor recreation contributed to 2.2 percent, or $563.7 billion, of the nation's current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP). At the state level, Hawaii saw the highest contribution from outdoor recreation at 5.6 percent of its GDP, while Connecticut had the lowest at 1.4 percent. In the District of Columbia, this figure stood at 0.9 percent.
The inflation-adjusted GDP for outdoor recreation rose by 4.8 percent in 2022, compared to a broader U.S. economic increase of 1.9 percent. This marks a slowdown from a significant rise of 22.7 percent in outdoor recreation GDP in 2021. Real gross output in this sector grew by 7.5 percent, with compensation rising by 9.1 percent and employment by 7.4 percent.
Employment within the outdoor recreation sector increased across all states and the District of Columbia during this period, with Hawaii experiencing an increase of 18.5 percent and Kansas seeing a more modest rise of 1.1 percent.
Outdoor activities are categorized into conventional activities like bicycling and hiking; other activities such as gardening; and supporting activities like travel and tourism-related services.
In terms of value added in conventional activities for 2022, RVing was noted as the largest contributor nationally at $35.5 billion and led in value added in several states including Indiana ($5.9 billion), Texas ($3.6 billion), and California ($3.4 billion). Boating/fishing followed closely with $32.4 billion nationally, leading in Florida ($4.4 billion), California ($2.4 billion), and Texas ($2 million). Motorcycling/ATVing contributed $11.5 billion nationally with Wisconsin being a major contributor at $1 billion.
Snow activities accounted for $7 billion nationally with Colorado contributing significantly at $1.4 billion.
By industry contribution to outdoor recreation's economic impact, retail trade was predominant nationwide accounting for $153.6 billion or about 27% of value added, especially prominent in California ($19 billion), Texas ($13 billion), and Florida ($12 billion). Arts, entertainment, accommodation services were second-largest contributing industries adding up to $144 billion or roughly a quarter share nationwide.
Manufacturing came third among industry contributors providing around $77 million which formed nearly fourteen percentage points worth input where notable contributions emerged outta Texas then California closely followed by Indiana each tallying over nine-billion mark respectively
This release incorporates updated national accounts data reflecting comprehensive revisions made throughout past year thereby ensuring latest available insights feeding into these findings
Next year's release is scheduled for November detailing outcomes pertaining towards current fiscal cycle thus keeping stakeholders abreast developments within realm concerning outdoorsy pursuits here across United States