In the second quarter of 2026, Italy’s economy demonstrated modest growth, with its gross domestic product (GDP) rising by 0.2% from the previous quarter. This increase also marked a 1.0% rise in GDP year-on-year, according to recent data that confirms earlier estimates.
Key drivers of this growth included a 0.2% uptick in both household and nonprofit consumption, alongside a similar increase in gross fixed investment. However, while domestic demand contributed positively to the economic expansion, the balance of trade posed a challenge. Imports surged by 1.5%, outpacing the 1.0% growth in exports, which resulted in net foreign demand having a negative impact on overall economic performance.
On the production front, the services sector played a crucial role, expanding by 0.4% and thus helping to counteract declines in other areas. Specifically, the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors saw a slight decrease of 0.1%, while the industrial sector experienced a more pronounced decline of 0.6%.
The report also highlighted that the carry-over effect for Italy’s GDP growth in 2026 was estimated at 0.8%. This suggests that the economic activities from the previous quarters will continue to influence the country’s growth trajectory into the future.