JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Economic growth accelerated in Mississippi in 2016, but still trails the national average.
Gross domestic product numbers released Thursday by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis measure all the economic output of each state.
Mississippi’s economy grew 0.8 percent in 2016, compared to a 0.3 percent increase in 2015. Growth was led by retail trade and agriculture. The mining and construction sectors shrank.
Nationwide, economic output rose 1.5 percent during 2016. Mississippi, with a $108 billion-plus economy, grew 37th fastest among states.
State economist Darrin Webb had predicted 2016 growth of 2.4 percent. Mississippi’s economy remains smaller than in 2008.
Washington grew most among states, 3.7 percent. Economies shrank in Alaska, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Wyoming. Those states were mostly hit by lower oil prices.
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