The RMB/BER business confidence index in South Africa fell by 8 points to 39 in Q2 2026, the lowest since Q3 2025, reversing the prior two quarters of improvement and moving just below its long-term average of 40. This is the lowest level since Q3 2025, as businesses faced renewed pressure from the Middle East war. “The sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher, lifted local fuel costs and significantly altered interest-rate expectations. Businesses have had to adjust quickly to a less supportive outlook, which weighed on sentiment across most sectors, " noted Isaah Mhlanga, chief economist at RMB. Confidence deteriorated across the board, with four of the five sectors reporting weaker sentiment, led by new vehicle dealers (-18 points to 49) and wholesalers (-10 points to 40). Manufacturing was the only sector to record an improvement, albeit marginal (+1 point to 31), despite ongoing pressure from weak demand and higher costs. source: Bureau for Economic Research (BER)

Business Confidence in South Africa decreased to 39 points in the second quarter of 2026 from 47 points in the first quarter of 2026. Business Confidence in South Africa averaged 42.57 points from 1975 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 92.00 points in the third quarter of 1980 and a record low of 5.00 points in the second quarter of 2020. This page provides - South Africa Business Confidence - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. South Africa Business Confidence - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Business Confidence in South Africa decreased to 39 points in the second quarter of 2026 from 47 points in the first quarter of 2026. Business Confidence in South Africa is expected to be 39.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Africa Business Confidence is projected to trend around 42.00 points in 2027 and 45.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-04 10:00 AM
Business Confidence
Q1 47 44 35
2026-06-02 09:30 AM
Business Confidence
Q2 39 47 38
2026-09-03 10:30 AM
Business Confidence
Q3 39 34


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bankruptcies 233.00 146.00 Companies Apr 2026
Business Confidence 39.00 47.00 points Jun 2026
Capacity Utilization 76.90 77.80 percent Dec 2025
Car Registrations 36871.00 34414.00 Units May 2026
Changes in Inventories -22424.00 -6246.00 ZAR Million Mar 2026
SACCI Business Confidence 124.10 123.60 points May 2026
Composite Leading Indicator 100.37 100.48 points May 2026
Corruption Index 41.00 41.00 Points Dec 2025
Corruption Rank 81.00 82.00 Dec 2025
Electricity Production 17106.00 18054.00 Gigawatt-hour Apr 2026
Gold Production YoY -0.20 16.60 percent Apr 2026
Manufacturing Production YoY -2.90 1.50 percent Apr 2026
Manufacturing Production MoM -2.70 1.20 percent Apr 2026
Leading Business Cycle Indicator MoM 2.40 0.60 percent Mar 2026
Mining Production YoY 8.20 2.50 percent Apr 2026
Total New Vehicle Sales 51070.00 47890.00 Units May 2026


South Africa Business Confidence
In South Africa, the BER Business Confidence Index covers 1,400 business people in the building sector, 1,400 in the trade sector and 1,000 in manufacturing. The survey assesses the level of optimism that senior executives in the companies have about current and expected developments regarding sales, orders, employment, inventories and selling prices. The index varies on a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 indicates an extreme lack of confidence, 50 neutrality and 100 extreme confidence.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
39.00 47.00 92.00 5.00 1975 - 2026 points Quarterly

News Stream
South Africa Business Sentiment Weakens in Q2
The RMB/BER business confidence index in South Africa fell by 8 points to 39 in Q2 2026, the lowest since Q3 2025, reversing the prior two quarters of improvement and moving just below its long-term average of 40. This is the lowest level since Q3 2025, as businesses faced renewed pressure from the Middle East war. “The sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher, lifted local fuel costs and significantly altered interest-rate expectations. Businesses have had to adjust quickly to a less supportive outlook, which weighed on sentiment across most sectors, " noted Isaah Mhlanga, chief economist at RMB. Confidence deteriorated across the board, with four of the five sectors reporting weaker sentiment, led by new vehicle dealers (-18 points to 49) and wholesalers (-10 points to 40). Manufacturing was the only sector to record an improvement, albeit marginal (+1 point to 31), despite ongoing pressure from weak demand and higher costs.
2026-06-02
South Africa Business Sentiment Hits Near 5-Year High
The RMB/BER business confidence index in South Africa rose to 47 in Q1 2026, the highest since Q2 2021, from 44 in the previous quarter. The survey revealed that sentiment improved amid a stable government, supportive interest rate environment and favorable exchange rate movements, despite geopolitical concerns. "A sustained improvement in confidence will ultimately depend on stronger demand, continued policy credibility and progress on structural reforms. For now, sentiment is improving but translating that into durable growth remains the key test for 2026," said Isaah Mhlanga, chief economist at RMB.
2026-03-04
South Africa Business Sentiment Improves in Q4
The RMB/BER business confidence index in South Africa rose to 44 in Q4 2025 from a one-year low of 39 in the previous quarter, marking the first improvement after two consecutive declines. The index is now three points above its long-term average. Increases were seen across five sectors. Building contractors were the only sector to see a drop in confidence, falling seven points to 39, yet activity improved, indicating the sector’s ongoing recovery. "Business confidence will need steady policy progress and consistent demand to take root and grow," RMB stressed in a statement.
2025-12-03