Real consumer spending in the United States accelerated sharply in the second quarter of 2026, rising to 3.2% after a modest 0.5% increase in the first quarter, according to data updated on 30 July 2026. The rebound marks a significant strengthening in household demand following a subdued start to the year.
The latest figures show that consumers stepped up inflation-adjusted outlays between April and June 2026, reversing the sluggish momentum seen in the first quarter. The earlier 0.5% gain in real consumer spending for the first quarter of 2026 had raised concerns about the durability of U.S. demand, but the second-quarter turnaround suggests a more resilient consumption backdrop.
With consumer spending a key driver of U.S. economic activity, the jump to 3.2% in real terms will likely influence expectations for overall growth in 2026 and could shape views on the trajectory of monetary and fiscal policy going into the second half of the year.
