U.S. economic growth strengthened in the second quarter of 2026, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by 2.2% quarter-over-quarter, up from a 1.5% increase in the previous quarter. The latest data, updated on 30 September 2026, indicate a clear acceleration in activity compared with the first quarter’s performance.
On a quarter-over-quarter basis, the current 2.2% reading reflects faster momentum in the economy than earlier in the year. By comparison, the previous 1.5% figure for the second quarter of 2026 measured growth relative to the quarter before it, showing a more modest pace at that time.
The quarter-over-quarter comparison framework underscores that the “actual” figure captures the change in GDP in the current quarter versus the immediately preceding quarter, while the “previous” figure reflects how GDP in that earlier quarter compared with its own prior period. This highlights a sequential improvement in U.S. growth dynamics through mid-2026.
