PARIS / RankWire.AI / – The OECD’s latest data shows a modest increase of 0.5% in economic activity across member countries in the second quarter of 2026, marking a slight improvement from the previous quarter’s 0.4%. This growth was observed as 27 out of 30 countries with available data experienced expansion, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Meanwhile, three nations saw no change in their quarterly economic output.
Ireland experienced the most significant quarterly boost, with GDP rising by 3.9%. Israel followed with a 3.6% increase, both well above the OECD average. Conversely, Austria, Belgium, and Chile reported no variation in economic activity during this period. Over the year, OECD GDP advanced by 2.3%, accelerating from the 1.7% growth recorded in the first quarter.
Contrastingly, the G7 leading economies showed a different trend. The combined GDP of these seven nations grew by only 0.3% in the quarter, which is a decrease from the 0.4% growth seen previously. Germany and Italy each grew by 0.2%, while Japan increased by 0.3%. The United Kingdom and the United States both experienced growth of 0.4%, with Canada’s expansion being notably stronger at 0.8%. France returned to growth with a 0.2% rise after contracting in the previous quarter.
Mixed Results for G7 Economies in Second Quarter
Growth rates among major economies slowed due to shifts in domestic demand and trade components during the quarter. Japan saw stagnation in private consumption and declines in inventories and investment. The UK faced weaker private consumption and decreased government spending, affecting its quarterly growth. Similarly, the US experienced lower export figures, inventory reductions, and less government expenditure. These factors contributed to the slower overall expansion within the G7.
Among G7 countries, Canada recorded the most notable quarterly improvement, jumping from zero growth in the first quarter to 0.8%. France also saw a positive shift after shrinking by 0.1% earlier in the year, with its economy expanding by 0.2% in the second quarter. These figures stand in contrast to Ireland and Israel, which posted faster growth, while Austria, Belgium, and Chile showed no change over the same period.
OECD’s Yearly Output Growth Reaches 2.3%
Looking at the annual data, the OECD reports a quicker pace of economic growth across its member states. The aggregate OECD GDP is now 2.3% above its second-quarter 2025 level, compared to a 1.7% rise in the first quarter. The United States led the G7 in annual expansion with a growth rate of 2.1%, while Japan recorded the slowest at 0.5%.
The OECD clarified that these second-quarter figures are provisional and based on countries with available GDP data. The report, released on August 24, covered 30 member economies and included both quarterly and yearly comparisons. The organization intends to issue its next quarterly GDP update on November 19, 2026. Despite some softness among the G7, overall OECD growth remains slightly stronger in this period.