Global Macro Snapshot: Q1 2026
A concise quarterly summary of GDP growth, CPI inflation, and central bank cash rates across 25 key economies. For exporters and trade finance professionals tracking the global conditions that shape payment risk, buyer demand, and currency movements.
| Country | GDP QoQ % | CPI YoY % | Cash Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | |||
| 🇺🇸United States | ▲+0.5% | ▲3.3% | 3.50% |
| 🇨🇦Canada | ▲+0.4% | ▼2.6% | 2.25% |
| 🇧🇷Brazil | ▲+0.5%Est. | ▲5.1% | ▼14.75% |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | ▼−0.8% | ▼3.8% | ▼9.00% |
| 🇨🇱Chile | ▲+0.3%Est. | ▼4.4% | 5.00% |
| 🇦🇷Argentina | ▲+1.2%Est. | ▼32.2% | ▼35.0%BCRA |
| Europe | |||
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | ▲+0.6% | ▲3.5% | 3.75% |
| 🇩🇪Germany | ▲+0.3% | ▲2.3% | 2.15%ECB |
| 🇫🇷France | 0.0% | ▼1.0% | 2.15%ECB |
| 🇮🇹Italy | ▲+0.3%Est. | ▼1.5% | 2.15%ECB |
| 🇪🇸Spain | +0.6%Est. | ▲2.3% | 2.15%ECB |
| 🇳🇱Netherlands | ▲+0.4%Est. | ▲3.0% | 2.15%ECB |
| 🇸🇪Sweden | ▲+0.2%Est. | ▼2.3% | ▼2.25% |
| 🇨🇭Switzerland | ▲+0.8% | ▲0.5% | ▼0.25% |
| Asia | |||
| 🇨🇳China | +5.4%YoY | ▼0.2% | 3.10%LPR 1yr |
| 🇯🇵Japan | ▲+0.5% | ▲3.6% | 0.75% |
| 🇮🇳India | ▲+6.7%YoY | ▼3.9% | 5.25% |
| 🇰🇷South Korea | ▲+1.7% | ▼2.1% | 2.50% |
| 🇸🇬Singapore | ▲+0.8%Est. | ▼1.5% | n/aMAS (FX policy) |
| 🇮🇩Indonesia | +0.9%Est. | ▼2.5% | 5.75% |
| 🇻🇳Vietnam | ▲+1.0%Est. | 3.4% | 4.50% |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | ▲+0.3%Est. | 1.0% | 2.50% |
| Oceania | |||
| 🇦🇺Australia | ▼+0.4%Est. | ▼2.5% | ▲4.10% |
| 🇳🇿New Zealand | +0.4%Est. | ▲3.1% | 2.25% |
| 🇫🇯Fiji | ▲+2.0%Est. | 4.0% | 0.25%RBF |
Central banks in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand are all in cutting cycles, with rates falling from 2023–24 peaks. Lower rates generally support buyer demand and reduce the cost of trade finance. Watch for inflation re-acceleration driven by energy prices, particularly in the US and UK, which could slow the pace of rate cuts in H2 2026. South Korea and Japan stand out in Asia with strong Q1 GDP momentum. Mexico contracted in Q1 — a reminder that tariff risk and nearshoring uncertainty are weighing on specific markets.
Sources
GDP: OECD GDP Growth — First Quarter of 2026 · IMF World Economic Outlook April 2026
Inflation: OECD Inflation (CPI) · Stats NZ CPI March 2026 · Reuters: Argentina CPI March 2026 · national statistical agencies
Cash rates: Central bank announcements (Fed, BoE, ECB, RBA, RBNZ, BoJ, RBI, and others) · Trading Economics
Figures marked “Est.” are estimates based on IMF, OECD, and national agency data where Q1 2026 official releases were not yet available at time of publication. This table is updated quarterly. Not financial advice.
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DocSure AI outputs do not constitute financial or investment advice. Always verify data with primary sources before making trade or business decisions.