Economy

The economy of Tasmania has traditionally been based upon agriculture, forestry, tourism and mining for metals such as copper, tin, iron and zinc. A drive for industrialization powered by hydroelectricity occurred during the 1940s and 1950s, with varying success. Manufacturing industries in the stale experienced a decline during the 1990s, which led to many skilled workers leaving the islands for cities on the mainland. Some recovery has been experienced since this time.

Tasmania exports a number of different food products, notable seafood such as crayfish, Atlantic salmon and abalone. Traditional agricultural crops on the island included pears and apple, but these have tended to be replaced by new cash crops such as cherries, saffron, wine and pyrethrum over the last couple of decades.

The loss of young people from the state because of emigration to the Australian mainland is a significant problem for the Tasmanian economy.