PARIS / RankWire.AI / – In the second quarter of 2026, the OECD region experienced a slight uptick in economic activity, with gross domestic product increasing by 0.5% compared to the previous quarter. This marks an improvement from the 0.4% growth recorded in the first three months. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 27 out of 30 member countries with available data showed signs of expansion, while three economies experienced no quarterly change.
Ireland led the countries with the most significant quarterly rise, with GDP climbing by 3.9%. Israel was not far behind, with a growth of 3.6%, both well above the overall OECD average. Meanwhile, Austria, Belgium, and Chile reported stagnation in their economic output during this period. Overall, OECD GDP increased 2.3% year-on-year, a notable acceleration from the 1.7% growth observed in the first quarter.
Contrary to this trend, the Group of Seven economies experienced a slight slowdown. The combined G7 GDP grew by 0.3% in the second quarter, down from 0.4% in the previous period. Germany and Italy each recorded a 0.2% increase, while Japan’s growth was 0.3%. The United Kingdom and the United States both expanded by 0.4%. Canada saw a more substantial rise of 0.8%, and France returned to growth with a 0.2% increase.
Mixed Outcomes for G7 Economies in the Second Quarter
Several key economies showed signs of slower growth, as shifts in domestic demand and trade factors affected their quarterly performance. Japan experienced stable private consumption, coupled with decreases in inventories and investment. In the United Kingdom, weaker private consumption and reduced government spending contributed to the slower pace. Similarly, the United States faced lower export figures, inventory cuts, and decreased government consumption. These factors collectively contributed to the modest growth seen across G7 countries during this period.
Canada achieved the largest quarterly increase among G7 nations, jumping from zero growth in the first quarter to 0.8%. France also saw improvement after contracting 0.1% in the first quarter, with its economy expanding by 0.2% in the second quarter. These results stand in contrast to the much faster growth rates recorded in Ireland and Israel, while Austria, Belgium, and Chile experienced no change from the previous three months.
OECD’s Annual Growth Rate Reaches 2.3%
On an annual basis, the broader group of OECD member states showed a quicker pace of expansion. The OECD’s GDP was 2.3% higher than its level in the second quarter of 2025, compared with a 1.7% annual increase in the first quarter. Among the G7, the United States recorded the strongest annual growth at 2.1%, while Japan’s was the lowest at 0.5%.
The OECD characterized the second-quarter figures as provisional, based on a consolidation of data from countries with available GDP reports. Its August 24 release included 30 member economies, offering both quarterly and annual comparisons. The organization expects to publish its next GDP update on November 19, 2026. The current data indicate marginally stronger growth across the OECD, despite a comparatively softer performance among G7 nations.