The S&P Global South Africa PMI edged up to 50.5 in August 2026 from 50.3 in the prior month, signalling a slight improvement in the private sector’s health. The upturn was supported by a return to growth in new orders, which increased for the first time in four months, albeit marginally, as customer finances improved. Meanwhile, export sales rose only marginally and hit a three-month low, as economic challenges and domestic political uncertainty continued to weigh on demand. The pickup in new business supported higher output and purchasing activity, but persistent cost pressures prompted another decline in employment, the first in seven months. On the price front, input cost inflation accelerated in August, although it remained well below its May peak. Output prices also increased solidly, with the rise slightly stronger than July’s five-month low but still below the historical trend. Looking ahead, South African firms showed greater confidence in future activity levels. source: S&P Global

Composite PMI in South Africa increased to 50.50 points in August from 50.30 points in July of 2026. Composite PMI in South Africa averaged 49.48 points from 2013 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 53.70 points in April of 2021 and a record low of 32.50 points in May of 2020. This page provides - South Africa Composite Pmi- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Composite PMI in South Africa increased to 50.50 points in August from 50.30 points in July of 2026. Composite PMI in South Africa is expected to be 49.80 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Africa S&P Global PMI is projected to trend around 51.60 points in 2027 and 51.20 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bankruptcies 239.00 246.00 Companies Jul 2026
Business Confidence 38.00 39.00 points Sep 2026
Capacity Utilization 76.10 77.00 percent Mar 2026
Car Registrations 41216.00 40912.00 Units Aug 2026
Changes in Inventories 8848.00 -17673.00 ZAR Million Jun 2026
SACCI Business Confidence 125.40 123.50 points Jul 2026
Composite Leading Indicator 100.50 100.47 points Aug 2026
Corruption Index 41.00 41.00 Points Dec 2025
Corruption Rank 81.00 82.00 Dec 2025
Electricity Production 19414.00 18939.00 Gigawatt-hour Jul 2026
Gold Production YoY -7.40 6.20 percent Jul 2026
Manufacturing Production YoY 1.10 -1.80 percent Jul 2026
Manufacturing Production MoM 2.20 0.80 percent Jul 2026
Leading Business Cycle Indicator MoM -1.40 -0.30 percent Jun 2026
Mining Production YoY -7.50 -4.30 percent Jul 2026
Total New Vehicle Sales 57900.00 57730.00 Units Aug 2026


South Africa S&P Global PMI
In South Africa, the IHS Markit South Africa Purchasing Managers Index tracks business trends across private sector activity, including mining, manufacturing, services, construction and retail based on data collected from a representative panel of around 400 companies. The index tracks variables such as new orders, output, employment, supplier delivery times, inventories and prices. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in business activity and below 50 indicates that it is generally declining. This is only a limited sample of PMI headline data displayed on the Customer’s service, under licence from S&P Global. Full historic PMI headline data and all other PMI sub-index data and histories are available on subscription from S&P Global. Contact economics@spglobal.com for more details.

News Stream
South Africa Private Sector Rises Slightly Faster
The S&P Global South Africa PMI edged up to 50.5 in August 2026 from 50.3 in the prior month, signalling a slight improvement in the private sector’s health. The upturn was supported by a return to growth in new orders, which increased for the first time in four months, albeit marginally, as customer finances improved. Meanwhile, export sales rose only marginally and hit a three-month low, as economic challenges and domestic political uncertainty continued to weigh on demand. The pickup in new business supported higher output and purchasing activity, but persistent cost pressures prompted another decline in employment, the first in seven months. On the price front, input cost inflation accelerated in August, although it remained well below its May peak. Output prices also increased solidly, with the rise slightly stronger than July’s five-month low but still below the historical trend. Looking ahead, South African firms showed greater confidence in future activity levels.
2026-09-03
South Africa Private Sector Expands in July
The S&P Global South Africa PMI edged down to 50.3 in July 2026 from 50.5 in June, signaling a further, albeit slower, marginal improvement in private sector business conditions. Business activity returned to growth for the first time in three months, supported by easing inflationary pressures and improved operational efficiency. However, new orders contracted for a third consecutive month as weak consumer demand, political protests, and competition from cheaper imports continued to weigh on sales, although export demand rose for a second straight month. Meanwhile, input cost inflation slowed to a four-month low and fell below its long-run average, helped by lower fuel prices and softer wage growth, while output price inflation eased to its weakest pace in five months. Employment growth also slowed to a six-month low, with firms reducing hiring amid subdued demand and persistent supply chain disruptions. Business confidence improved from June's near five-year low.
2026-08-05
South Africa Private Sector Returns to Growth
The S&P Global South Africa PMI rose to 50.5 in June 2026 from 49.6 in May, returning the private sector to marginal growth. Despite the improvement, output and new orders contracted for a second consecutive month, reflecting subdued domestic demand as firms continued to cite constrained client spending, economic uncertainty, and elevated price pressures, although the services sector remained the only category to record growth in new business. Business confidence also deteriorated, falling to its lowest level since July 2021 amid domestic political uncertainty and concerns over the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, input cost inflation eased sharply from May's 46-month high, while output price inflation also moderated but remained elevated due to higher fuel and shipping costs. Employment continued to expand as firms hired both permanent and temporary staff to increase capacity, while supplier delivery times lengthened further as disruptions to imported shipments persisted.
2026-07-03