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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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photo - Piggy Bank and Many Expenses such as Groceries, Education, Health Care, Transportation, and Housing
July 22, 2026

What California’s Next Governor Needs to Know about Affordability

Sarah Bohn, Sean Cremin

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July 9, 2026

Shedding New Light on Employment After Prison in California

Mary Severance

photo - New Single Family Homes in a Suburban Housing Development
June 23, 2026

What California’s Next Governor Needs to Know about Housing

Eric McGhee, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Hans Johnson

Fact Sheets

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photo - Blurred Silhouettes of Businesspeople Walking
May 2026

California’s Economy

Daniel Payares-Montoya, Sarah Bohn

photo - Box of Food at Foodbank
April 2026

Income Inequality in California

Tess Thorman, Daniel Payares-Montoya

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April 2026

Wealth in California

Tess Thorman

photo - Young Woman Holding a Diploma on Graduation
March 2026

College Completion in California

Valerie Lundy-Wagner, Charlie Wigul, Selina Gomez

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 - People Waiting and Sitting in Line on Chairs against a Wall
Featured Blog Post · June 3, 2026

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

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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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