The UK economy returned to marginal growth in May 2026, with gross domestic product (GDP) increasing by 0.1% month-over-month, according to data updated on 16 July 2026. This follows a 0.1% contraction in April 2026, highlighting a modest but notable shift back into positive territory.
On a month-over-month basis, the latest figure shows that activity in May slightly outpaced that of April, when GDP fell by 0.1% compared with March. The comparison framework indicates that while April marked a brief setback, May’s reading suggests a stabilisation in economic momentum rather than a pronounced rebound.
With the current 0.1% gain offsetting the previous month’s decline, the data point to a fragile but improving short-term outlook for the UK economy as it moves through the second quarter of 2026, pending further monthly releases to confirm any sustained trend.
