PARIS / RankWire.AI / – In the second quarter of 2026, the OECD region experienced a modest uptick in economic activity as most of its member countries reported expansion. The gross domestic product increased by 0.5% compared to the previous quarter, a slight rise from the 0.4% growth seen in the first three months. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 27 out of 30 countries with available data showed growth, while three economies saw no change from the prior quarter.
Ireland registered the highest quarterly growth among the nations in the latest data, with a 3.9% rise in GDP. Israel followed closely with 3.6%, both figures significantly exceeding the overall OECD average. Meanwhile, Austria, Belgium, and Chile reported no change in their economic output during the second quarter. Over the entire OECD area, GDP grew 2.3% year-on-year, accelerating from 1.7% in the first quarter.
The G7 group of major economies experienced a different trend. Their combined GDP grew by only 0.3% during the quarter, down from 0.4% in the previous period. Germany and Italy each saw a 0.2% expansion, Japan grew by 0.3%, while both the United Kingdom and the United States posted 0.4% growth. Canada had a notably stronger increase of 0.8%, and France regained positive growth with a 0.2% rise.
Mixed Results for G7 Economies in Second Quarter
Slower growth was observed in several leading economies, influenced by shifts in domestic demand and trade. Japan experienced stagnation in private consumption and declines in inventories and investment. In the United Kingdom, weaker private consumption coupled with reduced government spending dampened the quarterly growth. The United States also faced decreased export activity, inventory reductions, and lower government consumption, contributing to the overall slowdown across the G7.
Canada achieved the largest quarterly increase among G7 countries, rising from zero growth in the first quarter to 0.8%. France also showed improvement after contracting 0.1% in the first quarter, with the economy expanding by 0.2% in the second quarter. These results stood in contrast to the faster growth seen in Ireland and Israel, while Austria, Belgium, and Chile experienced no change from the previous three months.
OECD Annual Growth at 2.3%
Looking at the broader annual perspective, the OECD as a whole experienced a quicker pace of economic expansion. The GDP of member countries increased by 2.3% compared to the second quarter of 2025, up from a 1.7% annual rise in the first quarter. The United States led within the G7 with a 2.1% year-on-year growth, whereas Japan recorded the lowest increase at 0.5%.
The OECD classified these second-quarter estimates as provisional, based on data available from participating countries. Its August 24 release, which included 30 member economies, provided both quarterly and annual comparisons. The organization intends to publish its next quarterly GDP report on November 19, 2026. Despite a softer combined performance among the G7 nations, the overall data indicate marginally stronger growth across the OECD region.