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Independent, objective, nonpartisan research
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PPIC Economic Policy Center

The PPIC Economic Policy Center inspires practical policy solutions that promote a robust, resilient economy, improving the prospects of workers, families, and businesses statewide.

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Explainer · April 2026

Understanding California’s Labor Market

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Report · December 2025

Business Regulation and Business Starts in California

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Report · December 2025

Work and Economic Insecurity in California

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Blog Posts

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June 23, 2026

What California’s Next Governor Needs to Know about Housing

Eric McGhee, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Hans Johnson

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June 15, 2026

The Essential Role of Tribes in Regional Water Management

Vicki Hsieh

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June 3, 2026

California’s Labor Market Is Holding Steady, but Job Searches Are Longer

Sarah Bohn, Sean Cremin, Julien Lafortune

Fact Sheets

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May 2026

California’s Economy

Daniel Payares-Montoya, Sarah Bohn

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April 2026

Income Inequality in California

Tess Thorman, Daniel Payares-Montoya

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April 2026

Wealth in California

Tess Thorman

photo - Grocery Shop Owner Assisting a Female Customer
February 2026

California’s Businesses

Sean Cremin, Shannon McConville

photo - Female Ride Share Driver Driving Customer
February 2026

Self-Employment in California

Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Sarah Bohn

photo - Worker in a Factory
February 2026

Who Are California’s Workers?

Sean Cremin, Tess Thorman

photo - Gas Station Price Board at Sunrise in Rancho Cordova, California on March 25, 2026
Featured Blog Post · April 22, 2026

Rising Gas Prices May Strain Family Finances in California

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Key Areas

Fact Cards

25% Share of California businesses owned solely by women.
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California’s workforce is now older than the US workforce.
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33% The share of California workers who are immigrants.
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At $4.3 trillion, California’s GDP is 14% of the entire GDP of the US.
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Economy chart The majority of California workers earn less than $30 per hour.
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Most California businesses are small, and most Californians work for a small business.
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At almost 12% of the workforce, self-employment is higher in California than in the US.
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Since 1980, income among top earners grew by 72%; among lowest earners, income grew by 19%.
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7 in 10 Californians think that when today’s children grow up, they will be worse off financially than their parents.
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