Does Florida have a strong STEM economy?
New data released this month by the National Science Foundation (NSF) gives an unequivocal answer of “no” to that question.
When the 50 states plus DC are ranked by knowledge- and technology-intensive industry employment as a percentage of total employment in 2021, Florida (at 5.18%) ranks 40th. Michigan is first at 13.93%, while the national percentage is 8.21%.
The NSF says that “States seek to attract such industries because their relatively high compensation levels draw workers and increase state tax revenues.” Unfortunately, Florida has been relatively unsuccessful in attracting these industries.
Of course, Florida has pushed to increase the number of bachelors’ degrees earned in STEM fields by the students in its public universities. That results of that effort have not been impressive. This month’s NSF indicators release included state statistics on “Bachelors’ Degrees in Science and Engineering Conferred per 1,000 Individuals 18–24 Years Old” for 2021. Florida ranks 32nd among the states plus DC in this indicator.
In 2021, Florida’s universities (both public and private) awarded 23.20 bachelors’ degrees in science and engineering fields per 1,000 individuals 18-24 years old living in the state. The highest ranked in this category was DC at 79.86, and the highest-ranking state was New Hampshire at 57.60. The national rate was 26.14.
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