Italian GDP rises 0.2% in Q2, marking first quarterly growth in ten months

The economy's modest rebound follows a prolonged period of stagnation, though real wages continue to erode for Italian workers.

Av Handelsavisen Newsroom · Automatisert 30. juli 2026, 08:31 UTC · 1 min lesetid

Italy's economy expanded by 0.2% in the second quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, according to data reported by Nyhetsbyrån Direkt.

The annual growth rate stood at 1.0%, signaling a tentative recovery after a prolonged period of economic stagnation.

The quarterly increase marks the first positive reading in ten months, offering a glimmer of hope for policymakers seeking to stabilize the eurozone's third-largest economy.

However, the pace of expansion remains fragile, with underlying structural challenges persisting.

The macroeconomic improvement comes amid significant headwinds for households.

Italian workers experienced a decline in real wages during the second quarter, marking the first drop in purchasing power in ten consecutive quarters.