The S&P Global South Africa PMI rose to 50.0 in January 2026 from 47.7 in December, signaling a stabilization in private-sector business conditions after a weak fourth quarter. Output and new orders were broadly unchanged, as modest improvements in domestic demand were offset by continued weakness in services and falling export orders. Purchasing activity increased slightly on firmer demand momentum, while inventories declined as supplier delivery times lengthened for the first time in ten months due to port delays and weaker supplier performance. Backlogs continued to fall, and employment edged lower as firms reduced staff or paused hiring. On prices, input cost inflation slowed to a three-month low, allowing selling price increases to soften to their weakest pace since October. Despite challenges, business confidence stayed relatively upbeat, supported by expectations of stronger demand, improved energy supply, rising tourism, and better domestic economic conditions. source: S&P Global

Composite PMI in South Africa increased to 50 points in January from 47.70 points in December of 2025. Composite PMI in South Africa averaged 49.44 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 points in January from 47.70 points in December of 2025. Composite PMI in South Africa is expected to be 48.70 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 51.80 points in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bankruptcies 100.00 126.00 Companies Dec 2025
Business Confidence 44.00 39.00 points Dec 2025
Capacity Utilization 77.80 78.30 percent Sep 2025
Car Registrations 37190.00 35579.00 Units Jan 2026
Changes in Inventories 25742.00 18711.00 ZAR Million Sep 2025
SACCI Business Confidence 131.40 133.20 points Jan 2026
Composite Leading Indicator 101.22 101.11 points Jan 2026
Corruption Index 41.00 41.00 Points Dec 2025
Corruption Rank 81.00 82.00 Dec 2025
Electricity Production 17477.00 18325.00 Gigawatt-hour Dec 2025
Gold Production YoY 1.10 -6.00 percent Dec 2025
Manufacturing Production YoY -1.40 -2.00 percent Dec 2025
Manufacturing Production MoM -1.20 -2.10 percent Dec 2025
Leading Business Cycle Indicator MoM 1.40 0.40 percent Nov 2025
Mining Production YoY 2.50 -2.40 percent Dec 2025
Total New Vehicle Sales 50070.00 48980.00 Units Jan 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 Stabilizes in January
The S&P Global South Africa PMI rose to 50.0 in January 2026 from 47.7 in December, signaling a stabilization in private-sector business conditions after a weak fourth quarter. Output and new orders were broadly unchanged, as modest improvements in domestic demand were offset by continued weakness in services and falling export orders. Purchasing activity increased slightly on firmer demand momentum, while inventories declined as supplier delivery times lengthened for the first time in ten months due to port delays and weaker supplier performance. Backlogs continued to fall, and employment edged lower as firms reduced staff or paused hiring. On prices, input cost inflation slowed to a three-month low, allowing selling price increases to soften to their weakest pace since October. Despite challenges, business confidence stayed relatively upbeat, supported by expectations of stronger demand, improved energy supply, rising tourism, and better domestic economic conditions.
2026-02-04
South Africa PMI Shows Sharpest Drop in 11 Months
The S&P Global South Africa PMI fell to 47.7 in December 2025 from 49.0 in November, marking the fastest contraction since January. Business activity dropped sharply amid weaker client demand and challenging economic conditions, with output falling at the steepest pace in 11 months. New orders declined again, led by reduced household spending, pullbacks in business orders, and softer export demand while backlogs fell at the fastest rate in over five years. Firms responded by cutting purchasing activity and reducing input stocks, although employment edged higher for a third straight month due to short-term hiring. Supplier delivery times extended its record streak. Cost pressures eased slightly as input prices rose at a slower pace, prompting a softer increase in selling prices. Despite current weakness, business confidence remained elevated, with firms expecting a recovery in activity over the year ahead on hopes of stronger demand and new projects.
2026-01-06
South Africa Private Sector Contracts Again
The S&P Global South Africa PMI rose to 49.0 in November from 48.8 in October, signaling a second consecutive month of contraction. Output and new business fell at similar rates to the previous month, reflecting weak domestic demand and a shortage of new projects. Despite a renewed rise in international sales, total new business declined, with industry and construction seeing the sharpest drops. Cost pressures also intensified, as firms reported the fastest increase in input costs in over a year, driven by higher purchase prices and rising wages. This prompted companies to raise selling prices at the quickest pace since February. Supplier delivery times improved for an eighth consecutive month, though the pace of improvement moderated from October’s record. Employment rose slightly, while purchasing activity stabilized. Business confidence strengthened to a 12-month high, with 46% of firms expecting higher output in the year ahead.
2025-12-03