How fast is the UK economy growing?
The UK economy grew 0.4% in Q2 2026 compared with the previous quarter, and 1.4% compared with a year earlier (ONS). Over the last four quarters it produced about £3.0 trillion, after allowing for price changes.
Q2 2026, compared with the quarter before (0.6% the quarter before that).
Q2 2026 compared with the same quarter a year earlier.
All the goods and services produced, with price changes taken out.
The economy over time
What’s this?
How much more the UK economy produced in the quarter than in the one before, after allowing for rising prices (GDP, seasonally adjusted).
What it cannot tell you: Early estimates are revised, and one quarter can be a poor guide to the trend. It does not show how the gains are shared out.
What’s this?
How much more the UK economy produced in the quarter than in the same quarter a year earlier, after allowing for rising prices.
What it cannot tell you: It smooths out single quarters but is slow to show a turning point.
What’s this?
The value of everything produced in the UK in the quarter, with price changes taken out so that quarters can be compared.
What it cannot tell you: It measures output, not wealth or how well off people are.
The last eight quarters
Growth after allowing for rising prices. Early estimates are revised, so recent quarters can change. See the IMF comparison with other countries →
| Quarter | Growth on the quarter before | Growth on a year earlier | Output in the quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | +0.4% | +1.4% | £744bn |
| Q1 2026 | +0.6% | +0.8% | £740bn |
| Q4 2025 | +0.1% | +0.8% | £736bn |
| Q3 2025 | +0.1% | +1.1% | £736bn |
| Q2 2025 | +0.2% | +1.1% | £734bn |
| Q1 2025 | +0.6% | +1.8% | £734bn |
| Q4 2024 | +0.4% | +1.9% | £730bn |
| Q3 2024 | +0.2% | +1.3% | £727bn |
Questions people ask
What is GDP?
Gross domestic product is the value of everything produced in a country in a period. The ONS publishes it every quarter and gives a monthly estimate in between.
How fast is the UK economy growing?
By 0.4% in Q2 2026 on the previous quarter, and 1.4% on a year earlier.
Is the UK in recession?
Not by the usual rule, which is two quarters in a row of falling GDP. The last two quarters were +0.6% and +0.4%.
What did the economy do last month?
The ONS monthly estimate for July 2026 was +0.4% on the month before. Monthly figures are volatile and often revised.
How does UK growth compare with other countries?
See economic growth by country and the full comparison, using IMF figures measured the same way for each country.
Source: ONS, GDP quarterly national accounts and monthly estimate, to Q2 2026. Updated every night; new figures follow each ONS release (see what is being published next).
See also: Economic growth by country · UK unemployment · Inflation · The UK against other countries