Global economic growth slowed slightly in the second quarter of 2026, with new international data showing a modest easing in worldwide real economic activity while regional performances continued to diverge.

World real GDP growth stood at 0.7 percent in the second quarter of 2026, compared with 0.8 percent in the first quarter. Despite the slowdown, global growth averaged 0.8 percent across the first two quarters of the year.

The latest figures provide a snapshot of how major regions performed during a period marked by differing economic conditions across advanced and emerging economies.

Europe Records a Rebound

Europe recorded one of the most notable changes during the quarter.

Regional growth increased to 0.6 percent in Q2, compared with 0.0 percent in Q1. The rebound contributed to the overall improvement in economic activity across the region.

The figures indicate that Europe’s economic performance strengthened during the second quarter after remaining broadly flat during the opening quarter of the year.

Asia Remains a Major Contributor

Asia continued to make the largest contribution to global growth, although its quarterly growth rate slowed.

The region expanded by 0.9 percent in Q2, down from 1.3 percent in Q1.

Despite the slowdown, Asia contributed approximately 0.4 percentage points to global growth during the second quarter, making it the largest regional contributor among the major geographic groups.

The data underline the continued importance of Asian economies to overall global economic activity.

Africa Accelerates

Africa recorded stronger quarterly growth during the second quarter.

The region’s growth increased to 1.6 percent, compared with 1.3 percent in the first quarter.

Africa therefore recorded the highest quarterly growth rate among the major regions covered in the latest comparison.

The region contributed approximately 0.1 percentage points to global growth during the quarter.

Americas Remain Stable

Economic growth in the Americas remained unchanged between the first and second quarters.

The region recorded growth of 0.5 percent in both Q1 and Q2.

Although the pace did not accelerate, the stable performance meant that the Americas continued to contribute to global economic expansion.

The region accounted for approximately 0.1 percentage points of worldwide growth in the second quarter.

Oceania Edges Higher

Oceania also registered a small improvement.

Growth increased to 0.5 percent in Q2, compared with 0.4 percent in Q1.

The increase was modest but represented an improvement compared with the previous quarter.

Advanced and Emerging Economies

The latest data also show differences between advanced economies and emerging market and developing economies.

Advanced economies recorded growth of 0.5 percent in Q2, up from 0.4 percent in Q1.

By contrast, emerging market and developing economies slowed to 0.9 percent, compared with 1.1 percent during the first quarter.

Advanced economies increased their contribution to global growth from 0.1 percentage points in Q1 to 0.2 percentage points in Q2.

The contribution from emerging market and developing economies declined from 0.7 percentage points to 0.5 percentage points.

Outlook for the Second Half

The first-half figures also provide an indication of the pace required during the remainder of 2026.

For global growth to match the 3.0 percent annual growth forecast in the IMF’s World Economic Outlook, worldwide growth would need to average approximately 0.6 percent per quarter during the second half of the year.

The latest quarterly figures therefore show that the global economy continues to expand, although the pace differs significantly between regions.

A Diverging Global Economy

The second-quarter data highlight a global economy in which growth is not moving uniformly.

Europe rebounded from stagnation, Africa accelerated, Oceania edged higher and the Americas remained stable, while Asia experienced a noticeable moderation from its first-quarter pace.

These differences underline the importance of examining regional economic data alongside the global headline figure.

With the second half of 2026 now underway, upcoming economic data will provide further information on whether the current pattern of moderate global expansion continues or regional growth rates shift again.