How Louisiana can reverse its population decline
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A focus on climate resiliency — and building new industries in Louisiana around it — could address the state's population decline and lack of economic opportunity, the New Orleans-based nonprofit analysis firm Data Center suggests in a new report.
Why it matters: For more than two decades, the state has had one of the lowest job growth rates in the nation, the report says.
The big picture: Louisiana has been struggling to grow its population.
- A declining population can create major challenges for policymakers and residents' quality of life because of the decreased tax base from which to draw support for schools and infrastructure management.
Between the lines: Since 2020, Louisiana has also been home to more billion-dollar extreme weather disasters than any other state, causing insurance rates to make life here more expensive than ever, the Data Center says.
- Plus, the state is experiencing a record-high number of extreme heat days, employment rates are historically down, the state's life expectancy rates are among the nation's lowest and drug overdoses are a leading cause of death in the state.
- But while important factors, they're not what drives most people to move away.
When people leave, the Data Center says, it's because they're searching for better economic opportunities.
- "Louisiana's economy is currently dominated by legacy industries like oil & gas, shipping, and tourism that maximize profitability through efficiencies — in other words, they're hiring fewer workers," the nonprofit noted.
How to fix it: The report points to opportunities presented by new federal dollars and remaining BP oil spill fines that could help the state create new resilience to natural disasters and boost the economy through industry diversification.
- For instance, the report suggests, by investing in water management or renewable energy, the state could become more climate resilient while attracting new industries — plus new jobs and people to hire for them.