Latest figures show the Gold Coast economy has grown 25% since 2020/21 to more than $55 billion, cementing its position as Australia's largest non-capital city economy.
The 2026 State of the City Report released today shows the Gold Coast is growing faster than Greater Brisbane and has outpaced the average growth of Australian capital cities since 2020.
The report also ranks the Gold Coast second nationally for Economic Complexity behind Sydney, highlighting the increasing sophistication and diversity of the city's economy.
Released by the city's investment and economic development agency, Invest Gold Coast, the State of the City Report for 2026 details how the Gold Coast has entered a new economic phase driven by health, advanced manufacturing, education, screen production, marine, technology, professional services, exports and the knowledge economy.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed that the Gold Coast is an exceptionally capable, diverse and economically significant city.
"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.
"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.
"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.
"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."
The Gold Coast is now home to more than 690,000 people, supports more than 350,000 jobs, has more than 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in exports annually, with advanced manufacturing being the largest contributor.
The report identifies the knowledge, and health and wellbeing economies as key growth sectors, contributing more than $13 billion to the local economy and supporting more than 70,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
It also points to growing capability across aerospace, defence and future industries sectors, with the Gold Coast increasingly positioning itself in sectors tied to advanced technology, innovation and global demand.
This includes the city's emerging role in Australia's space industry through Gold Coast-headquartered Gilmour Space Technologies, which became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland.
The rocket and its core systems were designed and built on the Gold Coast.
Other sectors highlighted for their rapid growth are the Gold Coast's screen and game production now contributing more than $420 million annually to the Gold Coast economy and growing by more than 77% since 2020/21. Major projects including Shadowbox Studios, HOTA – Home of the Arts, Miami Arts Depot and the Gold Coast Arena are helping reshape the city's cultural and economic profile.
At the same time, the city's built form is developing at pace, with a record 75 active cranes currently operating across the Gold Coast and more than $23 billion worth of active major development projects underway.
Echoing Mayor Tate's comments, Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city's growth is the result of building a more diversified, and resilient economy.
"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.
"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."
Mr Hodgman said the Gold Coast remained one of the few major Australian cities still actively building the next phase of its economy in real time.
"The Gold Coast is now a global city actively shaping its economy, which means infrastructure, precincts, investment and talent growth can be aligned to meet future demand and secure future prosperity".
The Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, located at Southport in the city's north, is one of the clearest examples of the city's economic transformation, according to the State of the City Report, bringing together more than $5 billion in health, research, education and innovation infrastructure across 200 hectares.
The report outlines how the precinct is helping to position the Gold Coast as a national and international centre for health, medical research, biotechnology, education and future-focused industries, while strengthening the city's knowledge economy and high-skilled workforce.
Other major projects reshaping the city include the Coomera Marine Precinct, which is expanding the Gold Coast's advanced manufacturing and marine capability, the Yatala-Stapylton Industrial Precinct, one of the fastest-growing industrial and logistics corridors in South East Queensland, and the future Gold Coast Arena, which is expected to further strengthen the city's entertainment, events and cultural economy.
Key report findings
- Today, the Gold Coast is a more than $55 billion economy
- The city has experienced 25% economic growth since 2020/21
- The Gold Coast ranks as Australia's largest non-capital city economy
- It ranks second nationally for Economic Complexity behind Sydney
- Today, more than 83,000 businesses operate across the Gold Coast
- There are more than 350,000 jobs supported on the Gold Coast
- The city drives $19 billion in exports annually
- Manufacturing is responsible for 62% of international export growth
- There is currently more than $23 billion in major projects underway
- In 2026, there are 75 active cranes across the city – the most significant number ever
- The population of the Gold Coast is projected to grow from 690,000 and exceed one million by 2046
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