Illinois’ critics like to compare the state to its neighbors like Indiana and Wisconsin. But is that really fair? We took a look at the size of Illinois’ economy and compared it to our neighbors and the other 49 states. Here’s what we found:

According to World Bank statistics and the Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, Illinois’ gross state product is approximately $720 billion. If we were an independent nation, we’d rank 23rd in the world, between Saudi Arabia, with its nearly limitless oil wealth, and Switzerland, one of the world’s biggest financial centers.

Only four other states have bigger economies than Illinois. Our neighbors don’t even come close. Indiana’s economy is about the same size as Malaysia’s – less than half the size of Illinois’. Missouri and Wisconsin are closest to Chile. Kentucky is comparable to New Zealand, and Iowa to Bangladesh.

How big is Illinois' economy? - Fact Sheet.pdf