The S&P Global South Africa PMI rose to 51.6 in April 2026 from 50.8 in March, marking the strongest expansion since August 2022. Output growth accelerated to an 11-month high, supported by a rebound in sales and the fastest increase in new orders in over one-and-a-half years, partly driven by precautionary stock building amid concerns over the Middle East conflict. Employment growth also strengthened, reaching its highest level since September 2022. However, supply chain disruptions linked to the conflict led to a further deterioration in supplier delivery times, with lead times lengthening to the greatest extent in over one-and-a-half years. On prices, input cost inflation surged to a 30-month high, driven by rising fuel prices and higher supplier charges, prompting firms to raise output prices at the fastest pace since August 2024. Firms remained cautious about the outlook, noting that recent gains may be temporary amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and elevated cost pressures. source: S&P Global

Composite PMI in South Africa increased to 51.60 points in April from 50.80 points in March of 2026. Composite PMI in South Africa averaged 49.46 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 51.60 points in April from 50.80 points in March of 2026. Composite PMI in South Africa is expected to be 49.30 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 146.00 135.00 Companies Mar 2026
Business Confidence 47.00 44.00 points Mar 2026
Capacity Utilization 76.90 77.80 percent Dec 2025
Car Registrations 34414.00 39370.00 Units Apr 2026
Changes in Inventories -6246.00 17267.00 ZAR Million Dec 2025
SACCI Business Confidence 131.30 134.60 points Mar 2026
Composite Leading Indicator 100.59 100.62 points Apr 2026
Corruption Index 41.00 41.00 Points Dec 2025
Corruption Rank 81.00 82.00 Dec 2025
Electricity Production 18028.00 16790.00 Gigawatt-hour Mar 2026
Gold Production YoY 12.80 0.70 percent Feb 2026
Manufacturing Production YoY 0.90 -2.30 percent Mar 2026
Manufacturing Production MoM 0.80 -1.80 percent Mar 2026
Leading Business Cycle Indicator MoM 0.50 0.60 percent Feb 2026
Mining Production YoY 9.70 5.00 percent Feb 2026
Total New Vehicle Sales 47980.00 58060.00 Units Apr 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 Growth Picks Up in April
The S&P Global South Africa PMI rose to 51.6 in April 2026 from 50.8 in March, marking the strongest expansion since August 2022. Output growth accelerated to an 11-month high, supported by a rebound in sales and the fastest increase in new orders in over one-and-a-half years, partly driven by precautionary stock building amid concerns over the Middle East conflict. Employment growth also strengthened, reaching its highest level since September 2022. However, supply chain disruptions linked to the conflict led to a further deterioration in supplier delivery times, with lead times lengthening to the greatest extent in over one-and-a-half years. On prices, input cost inflation surged to a 30-month high, driven by rising fuel prices and higher supplier charges, prompting firms to raise output prices at the fastest pace since August 2024. Firms remained cautious about the outlook, noting that recent gains may be temporary amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and elevated cost pressures.
2026-05-06
South Africa Private Sector Expands in March
The S&P Global South Africa PMI rose to 50.8 in March 2026 from 50 in February, signaling the first upturn in business conditions for six months. Output increased at the quickest rate in six months, accompanied by stronger job creation and a first rise in input inventories since last November. However, signs emerged that heightened economic uncertainty and supply chain disruptions linked to the war in the Middle East had begun to weigh. New orders fell for a second month, accelerating as export sales dropped at the fastest rate in over two years. Delivery times lengthened to a 16-month high due to sea freight disruptions via the Strait of Hormuz. On the price front, input price inflation surged amid rising fuel costs, a stronger US dollar, and minimum wage changes, leading to the biggest increase in output charges in more than a year. Expectations for future activity weakened further, reaching their lowest level since July 2021.
2026-04-07
South Africa Private Sector Remains Stagnant
The S&P Global South Africa PMI was unchanged at 50 in February 2026, signaling stable private-sector business conditions for a second consecutive month after weakness in late 2025. Output was broadly unchanged, supported by firms clearing backlogs, while new orders declined slightly. The continued fall in outstanding work pointed to a weaker pipeline and a cautious near-term outlook. Employment rebounded with a modest rise in staffing, though inventories declined again amid restrained purchasing. Supplier delivery times worsened slightly but delays were less severe than earlier in the year. Input cost pressures remained subdued thanks to a stronger rand and lower fuel prices, even as wage inflation hit a seven-month high. Softer overall cost burdens enabled firms to lower selling prices for the first time since May 2025. Business confidence eased to its lowest level since July 2021, despite expectations that easing inflation and potential rate cuts could support growth.
2026-03-04