29.04.202606:00:00UTC+00Sweden’s Economy Slips Into Contraction as Q1 2026 GDP Falls 0.2% QoQ

Sweden’s gross domestic product unexpectedly contracted in the first quarter of 2026, declining 0.2% quarter‑on‑quarter, according to data updated on 29 April 2026. The result marks a reversal from the previous quarter’s modest expansion and signals a loss of momentum in the Swedish economy at the start of the year.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, Sweden’s GDP had grown by 0.5% compared with the prior quarter, providing a measure of resilience amid a challenging global backdrop. The latest reading, however, shows that output has now slipped into negative territory on a quarter‑over‑quarter basis, highlighting increased headwinds for growth.

The comparison is based on quarter‑over‑quarter changes: the current figure reflects the shift from Q4 2025 to Q1 2026, while the earlier 0.5% reading captured the change from Q3 to Q4 2025. The downturn from +0.5% to ‑0.2% suggests a clear weakening in short‑term economic dynamics as Sweden moves through 2026.