The British economy expanded by 0.4% in the second quarter of 2026, slowing from 0.6% in the first quarter but extending growth despite energy-market and geopolitical disruption.
The figure comes directly from the UK’s Office for National Statistics first quarterly GDP estimate released on 13 August.
UK growth table — Q2 2026
| Indicator | Q2 2026 result | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Real GDP | +0.4% q/q | +0.6% in Q1 |
| Services output | +0.5% | Main growth driver |
| Construction | +0.3% | Positive |
| Production | 0.0% | No quarterly growth |
| Real GDP per head | +0.4% q/q | +1.0% versus Q2 2025 |
| June monthly GDP | +0.3% | Strong end to quarter |
| GDP subsectors expanding | 15 of 20 | Broadly positive output mix |
All figures are ONS first estimates and therefore remain subject to the UK’s normal national-accounts revision process.
The Run
The new information is not merely that GDP remained positive. The composition of growth shows a continuing dependence on services.
Services output increased 0.5%, construction rose 0.3%, while production recorded no growth. Fifteen of the 20 GDP subsectors expanded during the quarter.
June provided a particularly strong finish, with GDP increasing 0.3% during the month. Consumer spending associated with the men’s football World Cup, favourable weather and the temporary easing of energy pressure during a ceasefire phase in the Iran conflict were contributing factors said.
An especially useful measure is GDP per person. ONS estimates real GDP per head increased 0.4% in Q2 and was 1.0% higher than a year earlier. That matters because aggregate GDP can rise simply alongside population growth; positive per-capita growth indicates a somewhat broader improvement in economic output.
Why the number matters beyond Britain
The UK economy is an unusually useful test case for the economic transmission of the 2026 West Asian energy shock. Britain is not insulated from energy prices, yet activity continued expanding through Q2.
At the same time, the 0.4% result is a deceleration from Q1’s 0.6%, so the release should not be interpreted as evidence that the external shock has disappeared.
Nine145 analysis: the data support a “resilience, not acceleration” reading. The economy is growing, services remain comparatively strong and GDP per head is rising, but production has stalled and the quarterly growth rate has slowed. The next question is whether Q3 can maintain this momentum after renewed energy-market disruption.