Indicator Insight Publications

In the years following World War II, high-technology activities became a disproportionately large part of the Arizona economy, focused on the manufacturing of electronics and aerospace products. These high-tech activities were primary drivers of the Arizona economy from the 1950s into the 1980s, joined along the way by the manufacturing of instruments.

For decades, Arizona was one of the national leaders in aggregate economic growth, as measured by the percent change in measures such as gross product and employment. However, its growth rate always has been highly cyclical. During expansionary periods, Arizona always has been among the top states on the rate of growth. During recessions, the Arizona economy generally slumped at a rate similar to the national average, but would experience a rapid recovery. This pattern continued through the economic expansion of the mid-2000s.