Most national economists are approaching 2012 with caution. The intransigent Congress and continuing European financial difficulties do not bode well for a surge in economic growth and a reduction in unemployment. Projections remain at a modest 2 percent growth as in 2011. On the positive side, new employment growth has been positive over the past four months, and new capital investment is occurring in several sectors. Florida ranked third in the United States for job growth in 2011 with a rate higher than nationwide for the first time in over three years. With the third highest population growth rate in the nation, Florida now has over 19 million residents, fourth highest in the nation.