Impact of the Digital Economy on U.S. GDP Growth

This technical report examines the influence of the digital economy on the growth of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The study, led by Harvard Business School Professor Emeritus John Deighton, finds that the digital economy is responsible for $4.9 trillion in economic value, representing 18% of the U.S. GDP, and supports 28.4 million jobs. The report indicates that a significant portion of job growth—70%—is attributed to independent creators, e-commerce entrepreneurs, platform workers, and large integrated tech companies. The analysis further details the impact of the digital economy on job creation both nationally and specifically in Kentucky, where the number of internet-dependent jobs has surged from 200,000 in 2020 to an estimated 1.5 million by 2024. It also provides specific data on internet-dependent jobs across various Congressional districts in Kentucky, illustrating the widespread reach of the digital economy across the region.