Employment benefits growth in the United States eased in the second quarter of 2026, with the indicator slowing to 1.00% on a quarter-over-quarter basis, down from 1.20% in the first quarter of 2026. The latest data, updated on 31 July 2026, indicate a moderation in the pace at which employment-related benefits are increasing.
The figures show that while employment benefits are still rising, the rate of increase has decelerated compared with the previous quarter. In the first quarter of 2026, the 1.20% rise represented a stronger uptick relative to the quarter before it, whereas the 1.00% recorded in the second quarter marks a softer quarter-over-quarter gain.
According to the comparison methodology, the “actual” reading reflects the change for the current quarter (Q2 2026) versus the previous quarter (Q1 2026), while the “previous” figure captures the change in Q1 2026 relative to the quarter preceding it. This framework underscores how momentum in U.S. employment benefits growth has cooled modestly as of the second quarter.
