PARIS / RankWire.AI / – The OECD region experienced a modest pickup in economic activity during the second quarter of 2026. Most member countries that reported data showed expansion. Gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.5% compared to the previous quarter. This is slightly higher than the 0.4% growth seen in the first three months. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development noted growth in 27 out of 30 countries with available figures. Three economies saw no change in their quarterly output.
Ireland experienced the strongest growth among these nations, with GDP rising by 3.9%. Israel followed closely, growing by 3.6%. Both countries surpassed the overall OECD average. In contrast, Austria, Belgium, and Chile reported no change in economic output during the second quarter. Year-over-year, OECD GDP increased by 2.3%, up from 1.7% in the first quarter.
The G7 economies, however, showed a different trend. Their combined GDP grew by only 0.3% in the quarter, a slowdown from 0.4% previously. Germany and Italy each expanded by 0.2%, and Japan grew by 0.3%. The United Kingdom and the United States both increased by 0.4%. Canada performed better with a 0.8% rise, and France returned to growth, expanding by 0.2%.
Mixed Results for G7 Countries in Q2
Several major economies experienced slower growth as domestic demand and trade factors shifted. Japan’s private consumption stayed flat, while inventories and investments declined. In the UK, weaker private spending and lower government consumption slowed growth. The US also saw reduced export activity, inventory cuts, and less government spending. These trends contributed to the slower overall G7 performance.
Canada achieved the largest quarterly increase among G7 nations, jumping from zero growth in Q1 to 0.8%. France improved after a 0.1% contraction in the first quarter. Its economy grew by 0.2% in Q2. Ireland and Israel showed faster growth, while Austria, Belgium, and Chile had no change from the previous quarter.
OECD Annual Growth Reaches 2.3%
Over the year, the broader OECD group showed a quicker pace of growth. The group’s GDP was 2.3% higher than in the second quarter of 2025. This compares to a 1.7% increase in the first quarter. Among G7 countries, the US saw the strongest yearly growth at 2.1%. Japan’s annual increase was the slowest at just 0.5%.
The OECD called these second-quarter figures provisional. They are based on data from countries with available GDP figures. The August 24 report covered 30 member nations and included both quarterly and yearly comparisons. The next update is scheduled for November 19, 2026. Despite a weaker G7 performance, the overall OECD area showed slightly stronger growth in this period.