US economic growth slowed to an annual rate of 1.5% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 2.1% in the prior quarter, in what the BBC described as a surprise slowdown.
Key facts
- The US economy grew at an annual rate of 1.5% in the three months to June.
- Growth was down from 2.1% in the previous quarter.
- The BBC reported the slowdown as unexpected.
The US economy grew at an annual rate of 1.5% in the three months to June, according to the BBC. That marks a notable slowdown from the 2.1% rate recorded in the previous quarter.
The BBC characterised the deceleration as a surprise, indicating the figure came in below what had been anticipated for the period.
A slowdown from 2.1% to 1.5% represents a meaningful shift in the pace of expansion over a single quarter, though the economy continued to grow rather than contract during the three months to June.
The figures cover the second quarter of 2026, spanning April through June. The BBC published multiple updates on the release across the day it was reported.
Beyond the headline growth rate and the comparison with the prior quarter, further detail on the drivers of the slowdown was not provided in the available reporting.
Why it matters
Gross domestic product growth is one of the clearest signals of the health of the world's largest economy, shaping decisions on interest rates, jobs and business investment. A slowdown that surprises analysts can influence market expectations and policy debates, and it matters for households whose finances are tied to the broader economy.
Frequently asked questions
How fast did the US economy grow in the second quarter?
According to the BBC, the US economy grew at an annual rate of 1.5% in the three months to June.
How does that compare with the previous quarter?
The 1.5% rate was down from 2.1% recorded in the previous quarter, according to the BBC.
Was the slowdown expected?
The BBC described the slowdown as unexpected, or a surprise.