2025 Measures of Growth Report Highlights Overall Economic Growth and Calls for Collective Action to Address Challenges 

Edgecomb, Maine – November 19, 2025 The nonpartisan Maine Economic Growth Council today released its 31st annual Measures of Growth report – a comprehensive snapshot of how the state’s economy is performing relative to our long-term goals, other states, and the nation. 

Overall, the report finds that Maine continues to make meaningful progress toward economic prosperity. Wages are up, our gross domestic product is outperforming the rest of New England, and poverty is down slightly. Maine continues to perform exceptionally well in terms of environmental stewardship, safety, and internet connectivity and shows promise in the areas of entrepreneurship and labor force. 

However, some of this growth is challenged by a rising cost of living and inflation, and the report finds other reasons for concern and coordinated action: recent declines in K-12 test scores, the high and increasing cost of housing, and persistently low ranking in research and development compared to other states. 

“After years of concern about people leaving Maine, we’re now seeing an influx of new residents,” says Steve Von Vogt, President & CEO of Maine Maritime Composites and Co-Chair of the Maine Economic Growth Council. “Many are returning home or choosing Maine for its outdoor recreation, community spirit, and safety. It’s a positive shift, and as a business owner and employer, I welcome the potential of this trend to ease the years-long worker shortage. At the same time, it creates even more pressure to ensure that affordable housing options exist for every economic segment and every region in Maine.”   

“As a longtime educator and legislator in Maine, I see great opportunity for policymakers and decisionmakers at all levels to use this report as a tool to make Maine even more of a magnet for working-age people and their families,” says James Dill, Director of the Diagnostic and Research Laboratory and Pest Management Specialist, UMaine Cooperative Extension, and Co-Chair of the Maine Economic Growth Council. “Folks can use the data presented in this report to find common ground and work together to address the challenges of housing costs and K-12 test scores, and to maximize the impact of Maine’s unique culture and sense of community.”  

This report highlights examples of four local initiatives helping Maine communities be vibrant, supportive places for workers and their families. They build on the state’s natural and cultural resources while addressing potential barriers that may prevent people from thriving here. Skowhegan is turning its historic riverfront into a destination for residents and visitors alike. In Aroostook County, a workforce transportation program is connecting more people to jobs and careers. The blueberry industry is partnering with researchers at the University of Maine to increase both crop yield and sustainability of that heritage industry. And the owners of Glidden Point Oyster Farm are helping to chart a new course for Maine’s working waterfront. 

“Maine’s clean water, strong community of growers, and marine bioscience resources create a foundation for a thriving industry,” says Ryan McPherson, Owner, Glidden Point Oyster Farm. “As a buyer for about 20 small farms, Glidden Point is helping scale production across the state, while maintaining the high-quality, Maine-grown reputation that keeps chefs and consumers coming back.” 

In total, Measures of Growth 2025 tracks 31 indicators that represent Maine’s assets and areas of challenge. 

The Council assigns Gold Stars for significant progress in: 

  • Labor Force: In 2024, Maine’s labor force grew 1.8% to 705,000, exceeding pre-pandemic levels for the first time. 
  • Entrepreneurship: In 2023, the number of business starts exceeded closures for the tenth year in a row (although down slightly from 2022).  
  • Internet Connectivity: In 2025, 92% of Maine locations have average or higher speed broadband internet, up from 78% just three years ago (with higher speed broadband increasing from 13% to 50% in just three years). 
  • Safety: Maine’s statewide crime rate fell 8% in 2023 and is third lowest in the nation. 

The Council assigns Red Flags for needed attention to: 

  • Research & Development: Maine’s R&D spending rose from 1.1% to 1.4% of GDP in 2022 but continues to lag behind our peer states.  2024, Maine’s labor force grew 1.8% to 705,000, exceeding pre-pandemic levels for the first time. 
  • 4th Grade Test Scores: In 2024, just 33% of Maine 4th graders were proficient in reading, below the U.S. and New England average.  2023, the number of business starts exceeded closures for the tenth year in a row (although down slightly from 2022).  
  • 8th Grade Test Scores: In 2024, just 25% of Maine 8th graders were proficient in mathematics, below the U.S. and New England average and down from 35% a decade ago.   2025, 92% of Maine locations have average or higher speed broadband internet, up from 78% just three years ago (with higher speed broadband increasing from 13% to 50% in just three years). 
  • Housing Affordability: In 2024, 64% of households were unable to afford the median-priced home, up from 32% a decade ago.  statewide crime rate fell 8% in 2023 and is third lowest in the nation. 

The Council also highlighted two metrics that reached the benchmarks set years ago. In the past ten years, Maine’s poverty rate has steadily declined and remained below the U.S. average and gross domestic product growth has outpaced the rest of the U.S. and New England. This shows broad strength in our economy.  

“For years, Measures of Growth has been a trusted compass, showing where Maine is thriving, where challenges remain, and how we’re changing over time,” says Yellow Light Breen, MDF’s President and CEO. “These indicators underscore the urgency of investing in people, innovation, and infrastructure while safeguarding our communities and the environment. With our partners in business, government, and education, we look forward to using these insights to ensure Maine’s economy grows stronger, more resilient, and full of opportunity for all.” 

The Maine Economic Growth Council takes a nonpartisan, data-driven approach to presenting an unbiased picture of Maine’s economy and well-being. Measures of Growth is a resource for policy and decision makers at all levels, helping them to focus their efforts and understand the connections between the key issues affecting the state. The report works in tandem with the Maine’s 10-Year Economic Development Strategy to inform policy decisions and help grow Maine’s talent pool and workforce, increase wages, and increase the value of what we sell per worker. The Council is administered by the Maine Development Foundation. 

In this report, the Council also recognizes the federal agencies whose data has been the cornerstone of Measures of Growth for over thirty years. Their reliable, independent work is indispensable to decision makers across all sectors – public, private, and nonprofit. The Council takes its responsibility to independently track and report this data seriously and will diligently monitor any changes to availability, methodology, and access to data. 

You can dig into the data in a variety of ways: 

An additional resource is the recent survey and resulting report Why People Move to Maine put out this year by Wallace Economic Advisors in partnership with the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.