The latest data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that real GDP growth in Arkansas proceeded at a 3.2% annual rate in the fourth quarter. U.S. GDP growth rate for the quarter was 2.6% for the quarter.  Growth over the four quarters of 2022 totaled 1.9% in Arkansas, compared to 0.9% for the U.S.

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

Growth in the fourth quarter adds to the gap between GDP growth in Arkansas and the U.S. that has emerged since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cumulative growth since the fourth quarter of 2019 has been 7.7% in Arkansas and 5.0% for the U.S.

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

Breaking down the sources of GDP growth by sector, we see that Agriculture was an important contributor to Arkansas’ growth in the fourth quarter (as we also see in the nominal personal income statistics). Also contributing to Arkansas’ growth were Durable Goods Manufacturing and the collection of sectors referred to as Trade, Transportation and Utilities. Growth in other service sectors was mixed.

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis

Note: The Bureau of Economic Analysis released data on both Personal Income and Gross Domestic Product by State on Friday, March 31: Gross Domestic Product by State and Personal Income by State, 4th Quarter 2022 and Year 2022.  The Personal Income data are discussed in a separate post.