Real GDP grew at a 1.6 percent annual rate in the first quarter of 2026. The figure fell short of the 2.0 percent forecast but showed an increase from the 0.5 percent rate recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis released its second estimate for the quarter. Growth accelerated from the prior period, according to the data released on May 29.
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South Korea's real GDP jumped 1.7 percent in Q1 2026 from the prior quarter—the strongest growth in 5½ years—despite Middle East tensions, easily topping the Bank of Korea's 0.9 percent forecast on robust exports and steady domestic demand. Part of the rebound following 2025's modest 1% annual expansion (see prior article in series).
Japan's Q4 2025 GDP was revised upward to 1.3% annualized from the preliminary 0.2% reported on February 16, driven by strong business spending. January household spending on goods and private services held steady despite a year-on-year drop, with contained retail gasoline prices easing inflation. Analysts now expect the Bank of Japan to hold rates in April and hike in June.
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Dane reported Bogotá's GDP grew 4.6% in Q3 2025 year-on-year, surpassing Colombia's national figure of 3.6% from the same period in 2024. Growth was fueled by commerce, transport, and services sectors. Year-to-date through Q3, the capital's GDP expanded 3.9%.
After a 2.6% drop in economic activity in February, according to INDEC, private consultancies estimate a March recovery driven by agriculture. Equilibra forecasts a 1.5% year-on-year rise and 1% monthly desesasonalized. The first quarter would end with 0.4% growth versus 2025.
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The Dane reported that Colombia's GDP rose 2.2% in the first quarter of 2026, below the 2.5% recorded a year earlier. Growth was driven mainly by public spending and household consumption, while sectors such as construction and agriculture posted declines.
Employers in the United States added 178,000 jobs in March, far exceeding economist expectations of 59,000, while the unemployment rate fell to 4.3 percent. This rebound followed a weak February, when payrolls dropped by 133,000. The White House highlighted the strong figures on social media.
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China has set its 2026 economic growth target at 4.5 to 5 percent, striving for better results, as announced in a government work report submitted to the National People's Congress on March 6, 2026—confirming earlier January reports of this range.