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Orange RPU PY 2025-2028 Regional Plan <br />5 | Page <br /> <br />• Healthcare and Social Assistance: This sector had the highest employment, at <br />232,792 jobs in 2023 (a 4% increase from 2022). It contributed $21.7 billion to <br />GRP, highlighting its essential role in meeting the needs of a growing population. <br />• Manufacturing: Employing 160,014 workers, this sector remains the most <br />significant contributor to GRP, generating $38.5 billion through high-value outputs <br />like medical devices and aerospace technology. <br />• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: With 162,188 jobs, this sector <br />contributed $29.6 billion to GRP. Its contribution was driven by consulting, <br />engineering, and legal services, reinforcing its role as a critical economic engine. <br />• Finance and Insurance: Despite a 12% drop in employment to 72,711 jobs, this <br />sector maintained its status as a significant economic driver, contributing $31.5 <br />billion to GRP, benefiting from Orange County’s proximity to major business hubs. <br />• Accommodation and Food Services: Employing 177,783 workers (a 4% <br />increase from 2022), this sector contributed $12.1 billion to GRP, reflecting the <br />county's recovery in tourism and hospitality, supported by attractions like <br />Disneyland and coastal destinations6. <br /> <br />Orange County’s economic resilience is rooted in its ability to balance high-value <br />industries with a diverse employment base, positioning it as a forward-looking region. By <br />leveraging its mix of innovation, a skilled workforce, and a strategic location, the county <br />sustains growth and adapts to evolving industry trends. Continued investments in <br />workforce development, technological advancements, and strategic infrastructure will be <br />essential to maintaining its economic momentum and competitiveness in the future. <br /> <br />Labor Force Participation and Workforce Shifts in Orange County <br /> <br />Labor force participation is a vital <br />indicator of economic vitality, <br />measuring the percentage of the <br />working-age population employed or <br />actively seeking work. It is <br />influenced by various social, <br />economic, and demographic factors <br />such as population aging, economic <br />conditions, access to education and <br />training, caregiving responsibilities, <br />and migration patterns. These <br />dynamics have caused notable <br />fluctuations in Orange County’s <br />labor force participation rate (LFPR) <br />over the past five years. <br /> <br />In 2019, Orange County's LFPR stood at 63.39%, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused it <br />to drop to 61.10% in 2020 due to widespread job losses and business closures. Although <br /> <br />6 Lightcast, Gross Regional Product <br />59.5% <br />60.0% <br />60.5% <br />61.0% <br />61.5% <br />62.0% <br />62.5% <br />63.0% <br />63.5% <br />64.0% <br />2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Jan - <br />Jul 24 <br />Aug <br />24 <br />Sep <br />24 <br />Oct <br />24Labor Force ParticipationTimeframe <br />Labor Force Participation Rate <br />Data source: Lightcast <br />EXHIBIT 1