Measuring the Digital Economy in the U.S. and Arkansas

This report examines the significant role of the digital economy in driving U.S. GDP growth, focusing on its impact in Arkansas. Led by Harvard Business School Professor Emeritus John Deighton, the 2025 edition of IAB’s quadrennial study reveals that the digital economy contributes approximately $4.9 trillion, accounting for 18% of the U.S. GDP and supporting around 28.4 million jobs. The report highlights that 70% of recent job growth is attributed to independent creators, e-commerce entrepreneurs, platform workers, and large integrated tech companies. It also provides specific data on Arkansas, indicating that the state has seen a remarkable increase in internet-dependent jobs, growing from 200,000 in 2020 to an estimated 1.5 million by 2024. The report details how the digital economy is influencing job creation across various congressional districts in Arkansas, further illustrating its expansive reach and importance to both the state and national economy.