Italy’s economy expanded by 0.7% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026, easing slightly from the 0.8% annual growth rate recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025. The latest GDP figures, updated on 30 April 2026, point to a modest loss of momentum as the country moves into the new year.
The data are based on year-over-year comparisons, with the current reading reflecting the change in output in the first quarter of 2026 versus the same quarter a year earlier. The previous figure captured the change in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the fourth quarter of the prior year. While growth remains positive, the mild deceleration suggests that the Italian economy is expanding at a slower, though still steady, pace at the start of 2026.
