HOUSTON (Dec. 12, 2024) — The Greater Houston Partnership has released its forecast for job growth in the Metro Houston area, forecasting the creation of 71,200 jobs in 2025.  The sectors expected to experience the greatest gains, in order, are:  Health care Construction Professional and technical services Government Restaurants and bars Click to expand Houston is projected to finish 2025 with over 3.5 million payroll jobs, setting a record for the region. Several factors support this growth, including the ongoing expansion of the U.S. economy, the continued decline in interest rates, increasing consumer confidence, and a steady influx of domestic and foreign companies establishing operations in Houston.  Additionally, a deep backlog of construction projects and local income and population growth contribute to the positive outlook for job creation. “Over the past two decades, Houston has experienced several recessions, devastating weather events and the COVID-19 pandemic, but despite these events, the Houston region’s economy has remained competitive,” Partnership Chief Economist Patrick Jankowski said. “Houston’s GDP has grown 70 percent after adjusting for inflation, and that growth is proof that our resilient economy will encourage continued growth for years to come.” According to the forecast, every sector except information is expected to experience job growth next year. The information sector has struggled for years, losing jobs in 12 out of the last 20 years, largely due to technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences.  The Houston region created 60,000 jobs in the 12 months ending October 2024. The region should end the year with 58,000 jobs. The national outlook is also looking positive. The probability of a recession over the next 12 months sits at 26 percent, according to The Wall Street Journal’s October survey of prominent business economists.  A sector-by-sector breakdown of the jobs forecast and the factors impacting each industry can be found in the full report. ### Media Contact    Brina Morales                                                 Director, Communications     bmorales@houston.org      

The Greater Houston Partnership and the Center for Houston’s Future (CHF) recently led a delegation of clean hydrogen sector leaders to Japan and South Korea. This mission aimed to advance collaboration and strengthen ties within the rapidly expanding global clean hydrogen ecosystem, marking a significant step in Houston's leadership in the energy transition.  During the visit, Brett Perlman, Managing Director of CHF, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the leader of the Japanese Hydrogen Association, setting the stage for strategic collaborations that will boost clean hydrogen production both in East Asia and along the U.S. Gulf Coast.  Key moments of the mission included the Japan – U.S. Gulf Coast Clean Hydrogen Roundtable, where Perlman and Partnership Vice President of International Investment and Trade John Cypher shared insights into Houston’s hydrogen leadership.  Delegation members had the opportunity to tour cutting-edge hydrogen facilities across Japan and South Korea, including Chiyoda’s Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) production plant, Hanwha Daesan’s green energy fuel cell facility, Hyundai HyNet’s steel hydrogen shipment center, the SK Hydrogen Liquefaction Plant, and Bloom Energy’s fuel cell production facility. The group also met with high-level government officials from Yokohama, Kawasaki City, and Tokyo to discuss future collaborations.  The delegation also participated in H2 Week 2024 in Seoul, Korea, one of the world’s premier hydrogen conferences, where they connected with South Korean government officials, energy leaders and industry innovators.   “Strategic partnerships with key international allies are amplified by these missions and crucial for unlocking the full potential of emerging industries like clean hydrogen. At a time where energy and energy security are paramount, these missions not only reinforce Houston’s position as the global energy capital but also foster prosperity in the region. Together, we’re forging innovative solutions the world urgently needs in today’s energy landscape,” said John Cypher, Partnership Vice President of International Investment and Trade.  Houston’s Gulf Coast region was recently designated as one of the nation’s seven hydrogen hubs by the U.S. Department of Energy and is poised to play a pivotal role in this emerging sector. The Gulf Coast already accounts for more than a third of U.S. hydrogen production and is equipped with over 1,000 miles of hydrogen pipelines spanning 48 production facilities. In addition, the HyVelocity Hydrogen Hub, led by a coalition of seven core industry partners with support from academic and other organizations like CHF, is set to receive up to $1.2 billion in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  The growth of the clean hydrogen sector in the Houston region is expected to create up to 45,000 direct jobs, 35,000 construction jobs, and 10,000 permanent positions. International collaborations with partners like Japan and Korea, Houston’s fourth and seventh largest trading partners, will be essential for sustaining and accelerating this growth.  Learn more about Houston's hydrogen ecosystem.