Colombia Ranks Eighth Among OECD Countries for Q2 Growth

Colombia’s economy grew 1.3% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the previous three months —3.5% year over year—, a result that ranked it as the eighth-fastest-growing economy among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The figure is significant because Colombia grew at a faster pace than the bloc’s average, which expanded 0.5% between April and June, driven particularly by the public sector, defense, education, and health activities, which grew 10% in the second quarter of this year.

Colombia’s performance placed it ahead of developed economies such as Spain, Finland, and Italy and was surpassed only by Ireland, Israel, Switzerland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Mexico, and Sweden. In Latin America, Mexico led quarterly growth among the region’s OECD countries, at 1.5%, followed by Colombia at 1.3% and Costa Rica at 1.2%.

Colombia ranks eighth among OECD countries for Q2 growth

The second-quarter result shows particularly favorable performance by Colombia within the group of advanced economies. While OECD GDP increased 0.5%, one-tenth of a percentage point more than in the first quarter, Colombia recorded quarterly growth more than twice as high. Of the countries that reported data, most posted gains, although there were significant differences across regions and economies.

The performance also reflects an international environment of moderate growth. The group of the seven largest developed economies, the G7, slowed its expansion to 0.3% in the second quarter, down from 0.4% between January and March. The United States grew 0.4%, while Germany expanded 0.2% and Japan 0.3%. Italy also posted growth of 0.2%.

Spain was one of the exceptions among the major European economies, growing 0.7%, above the OECD average but still below Colombia’s figure. Finland and Italy, meanwhile, ranked behind Colombia in the quarterly growth ranking.

The regional comparison leaves Mexico as the fastest-growing Latin American OECD country between April and June. Its economy grew 1.5%, after contracting 0.6% in the first quarter. Colombia ranked second, while Costa Rica rounded out the group of the best-performing Latin American economies, with growth of 1.2%. Chile, by contrast, remained stagnant.

Mexico’s and Colombia’s results contrast with the performance of other economies in the bloc and show that Latin America had one of the OECD’s most dynamic performances during the quarter.

GDP growth in the OECD area increased slightly from 0.4% in the first quarter, to 0.5% in Q2 2026.

Twenty-seven countries recorded growth – but at varying rates – while 3 saw no change in GDP.

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Growth also remains steady on a year-over-year basis despite global instability

Colombia’s position improves further when growth is measured against the same period in 2025. Colombian GDP increased 3.4% year over year in the second quarter, above the 2.3% growth recorded by the OECD as a whole. Costa Rica grew 2.2%, Mexico 1.5%, while Chile posted a 0.3% contraction in the year-over-year comparison.

This performance adds to the previously reported results for the Colombian economy, which showed annual growth of 3.5% in the second quarter, above market expectations. In the first half of the year, cumulative growth reached 2.9%, with public spending and activities such as trade, transportation, accommodation, and entertainment playing a prominent role.

Colombia’s growth came amid an international environment marked by heightened geopolitical tensions, higher energy costs, and uncertainty stemming from U.S. trade policies. The OECD said global activity maintained moderate growth during the second quarter, although with significant differences among its members.

For Colombia, the figure represents a sign of greater momentum compared with the performance of many developed economies. However, the sustainability of this pace will depend on the ability to strengthen investment, productivity, and sectors that generate more lasting growth, particularly following the change in government and the resulting prioritization of the private sector.

In any case, the result places Colombia in a prominent position within the OECD. With quarterly growth of 1.3%, the country not only significantly outpaced the organization’s average but also ranked among the economies with the strongest expansion during the second quarter of 2026.