US Economy Grew 2.2% in Q2 2026, BEA Final Estimate Shows
Real GDP rose at a 2.2% annual rate in the second quarter of 2026, led by consumer spending, investment, and exports, the BEA confirmed.
The U.S. economy expanded at a 2.2 percent annual rate in the second quarter of 2026, according to the third and final estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis released Thursday. The reading follows a 2.5 percent gain in the first quarter, which was itself revised upward, signaling a modest but continued deceleration in growth momentum heading into the second half of the year.
Consumer spending, business investment, and exports were the primary drivers behind the second-quarter advance. Imports, which subtract from the headline GDP calculation, also rose during the period — a factor that partially offset gains elsewhere and reflects ongoing domestic demand for foreign goods.
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At the state level, economic performance diverged sharply. New York posted the strongest growth among all states, with real GDP rising 4.0 percent, while West Virginia recorded the steepest contraction, with output falling 2.3 percent. The wide gap underscores the uneven geographic distribution of economic activity across the country, with regional industry composition playing a significant role in outcomes.
The BEA's third estimate is considered the most complete picture of quarterly output, incorporating the broadest set of underlying data. The release also included industry-level GDP breakdowns, corporate profits figures, state-level personal income data, and state personal consumption expenditure figures for 2025, offering a comprehensive snapshot of the national and regional economy.
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