Arizona Employment Growth Forecast

Arizona’s Department of Economic Security (DES), Research Administration (RA) is projecting Arizona’s economy will add more than 256,000 nonfarm jobs through the 2006-2007 period.

For most industries, the economic momentum from 2005 is expected to increase in 2006, while a modest slowing is expected in 2007.

Nonfarm jobs are forecast to grow at an annual rate of 5.5 percent in 2006 and 4.4 percent in 2007. Much of this continuing growth stems from Arizona’s favorable attraction as a great place in which to live and the economic vitality that lures investors and businesses.

Job growth is projected for all 11 major industry groups, with the most rapid expansion occurring in construction; professional and business services; natural resources and mining; leisure and hospitality; and educational and health services.