PARIS / RankWire.AI / – In the second quarter of 2026, economic activity within the OECD region experienced a modest uptick, with most member countries reporting expansion. The gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.5% compared to the previous quarter, slightly surpassing the 0.4% growth seen in the first three months. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 27 out of 30 nations with available data showed growth, while three economies recorded no change from the prior quarter.
During this period, Ireland demonstrated the most significant quarterly rise among the included nations, with a GDP increase of 3.9%. Close behind was Israel, which grew by 3.6%, both well above the overall OECD average. Conversely, Austria, Belgium, and Chile reported no change in economic output for the second quarter. Year-over-year, the OECD’s GDP expanded by 2.3%, accelerating from a 1.7% rise in the first quarter.
In contrast, the G7 group of major economies experienced a different trend. The combined G7 GDP grew by only 0.3% during the quarter, down from 0.4% previously. Germany and Italy each saw 0.2% growth, while Japan’s economy expanded by 0.3%. Both the United Kingdom and the United States achieved 0.4% growth. Canada outperformed with a 0.8% increase, and France returned to growth with a 0.2% expansion.
Mixed Results for G7 Countries in the Second Quarter
During this period, several key economies experienced slower growth, influenced by shifts in domestic demand and trade activities. Japan’s private consumption remained unchanged, alongside declines in inventories and investment. In the United Kingdom, weaker private consumption coupled with reduced government spending contributed to the slowdown. Similarly, the United States faced decreased export growth, inventory reductions, and lower government expenditure, all of which dampened the G7’s collective growth rate.
Canada achieved the most notable quarterly improvement among G7 nations, rising from zero growth in the first quarter to 0.8%. France also showed signs of recovery after contracting by 0.1% earlier in the year, with a 0.2% expansion in the second quarter. These results stood in contrast to the rapid growth in Ireland and Israel, while Austria, Belgium, and Chile saw no change from previous periods.
OECD’s Annual Growth Reaches 2.3%
Looking at the yearly figures, the overall pace of economic growth across OECD member countries increased. The total OECD GDP was 2.3% higher than its second-quarter 2025 level, compared to the 1.7% annual growth in the first quarter. Among the G7 economies, the United States experienced the strongest annual increase at 2.1%, while Japan registered the lowest at 0.5%.
The OECD characterized the second-quarter estimates as provisional and based on the available GDP data from participating countries. The report issued on August 24 covered 30 member economies and included both quarterly and annual comparisons. The organization is scheduled to release its next quarterly GDP growth report on November 19, 2026. Despite a softer collective performance among the G7, the current data indicates a marginally stronger growth trajectory across the broader OECD region.