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Iowa's Free Enterprise Report: 2025 Edition

The Free Enterprise Report is a marquis report that provides an objective, non-partisan, fact-based analysis of the Iowa economic landscape and the state’s most pressing issues. The study is a year long undertaking and includes the CSI Economic Performance Index as well as a Free Enterprise Competitiveness Index across eight different policy areas.

Both indices provide an opportunity to look backwards and better understand where Iowa has been and what direction we are moving. We can better understand how we are performing relative to other states and we can equip policy makers, civic and business leaders with the best understanding of how our state is performing, where we are winning, where we are losing and how free enterprise principles can get us back on track.

 

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Workforce
People—Iowa’s Most Valuable Export

Outmigration of college-educated Iowans is costing the state billions.

Housing & Our Community
Housing Affordability in Iowa: Q2 2025

Iowa has the 8th most affordable housing market in the U.S.

Jobs & Our Economy
Iowa Jobs and Labor Force Update - June 2025

Iowa has the 21st lowest unemployment rate in the nation, down two from last month.​

July 18, 2025 Wyatt Bailey
Jobs & Our Economy
Inflation in the Midwest - June 2025

Year-over-year inflation grew to 3% (+0.6%) in the Midwest.

July 15, 2025 Andrzej Wieciorkowski