PARIS / RankWire.AI / – In the second quarter of 2026, the OECD region experienced a modest boost in economic activity, with most member countries reporting growth. The gross domestic product increased by 0.5% from the previous quarter, slightly higher than the 0.4% growth observed in the first three months. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development indicated that 27 of the 30 countries with available data saw economic expansion, while three recorded no change during the period.
Ireland achieved the highest quarterly rise among the nations analyzed, with GDP climbing 3.9%. Israel followed closely with a growth rate of 3.6%, both considerably exceeding the overall OECD average. Meanwhile, Austria, Belgium, and Chile reported no change in economic output during the second quarter. On an annual basis, GDP across the OECD increased by 2.3%, an acceleration from the 1.7% growth reported in the first quarter.
The G7 leading economies showed a different trend, with overall GDP rising by just 0.3% in the same period—down from 0.4% in the prior quarter. Germany and Italy each grew by 0.2%, Japan by 0.3%, while the United Kingdom and the United States both expanded by 0.4%. Notably, Canada experienced a stronger increase of 0.8%, and France returned to growth with a 0.2% rise after contracting 0.1% in the first quarter.
Mixed results mark G7 economies’ second quarter
Several major G7 countries posted slower growth, reflecting shifts in domestic demand and trade dynamics. Japan saw stagnant private consumption alongside declines in inventories and investment. The United Kingdom’s quarterly pace was negatively impacted by weaker private and government consumption. Similarly, the United States experienced slower export growth, inventory reductions, and decreased government consumption, all contributing to the overall deceleration in G7 growth.
Canada recorded the largest quarterly gain among G7 nations, moving from zero growth in the first quarter to 0.8%. France’s economy also showed improvement, expanding by 0.2% after a 0.1% contraction earlier in the year. This contrasted with Ireland and Israel, which saw much faster increases, while Austria, Belgium, and Chile experienced no change over the period.
OECD annual growth accelerates to 2.3%
On an annual basis, the broader OECD group demonstrated a quicker pace of economic growth, with GDP rising 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year—up from a 1.7% increase in the first quarter. Among the G7 members, the United States led with a 2.1% year-on-year growth, whereas Japan posted the smallest annual increase at 0.5%. The OECD described the second-quarter figures as provisional, based on available data from member countries. Its August 24 release covered 30 economies, providing both quarterly and yearly comparisons. The organization intends to publish its next quarterly GDP update on November 19, 2026. Overall, the data suggest somewhat stronger growth in the OECD region despite the relatively slower G7 performance.