Washington, D.C

Economy

In recent decades the private sector has played a growing role in Washington's economy. In the 1990s less than 20 percent of the capital's work force was employed by the federal government. Important contributors to the District's economy include the service sector (which employs one out of every three workers), high-technology companies (for whom the federal government provides the world's largest market), financial institutions, printing and publishing, and telecommunications. The largest non-government employers are George Washington University, the Potomac Electric Power Company, Georgetown University, Howard University, The Washington Post, Bell Atlantic Washington, and the Federal National Mortgage Association. In addition, a substantial segment of the capital's business is conducted by the 1,000-plus special-interest groups and national associations who maintain headquarters there.