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. source: S&P Global

Composite PMI in South Africa decreased to 50.30 points in July from 50.50 points in June 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 decreased to 50.30 points in July from 50.50 points in June 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 245.00 225.00 Companies Jun 2026
Business Confidence 39.00 47.00 points Jun 2026
Capacity Utilization 76.10 77.00 percent Mar 2026
Car Registrations 40912.00 38393.00 Units Jul 2026
Changes in Inventories -22424.00 -6246.00 ZAR Million Mar 2026
SACCI Business Confidence 125.40 123.50 points Jul 2026
Composite Leading Indicator 100.36 100.48 points Jun 2026
Corruption Index 41.00 41.00 Points Dec 2025
Corruption Rank 81.00 82.00 Dec 2025
Electricity Production 18904.00 18642.00 Gigawatt-hour Jun 2026
Gold Production YoY 6.20 -4.40 percent Jun 2026
Manufacturing Production YoY -1.70 -4.30 percent Jun 2026
Manufacturing Production MoM 0.90 1.10 percent Jun 2026
Leading Business Cycle Indicator MoM -0.30 -2.00 percent May 2026
Mining Production YoY -4.00 -5.10 percent Jun 2026
Total New Vehicle Sales 57708.00 54410.00 Units Jul 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 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
South Africa Private Sector Activity Falls to 5-Month Low
The S&P Global South Africa PMI fell to 49.6 in May 2026 from 51.6 in April, slipping below the 50.0 neutral threshold for the first time in five months. The decline was driven by renewed contractions in output and new orders, with new business falling for the third time in four months and at the fastest pace this year. Wholesale and retail saw the steepest contraction, while services was the only sector to grow. Input cost inflation accelerated to its strongest level since July 2022, driven mainly by higher fuel prices. Firms passed these costs on to customers, pushing selling price inflation to a 46-month high across all sectors. Despite weaker demand, employment growth rose at the fastest pace since September 2022 as firms hired to fill vacancies. Looking ahead, business confidence rose to its highest level of 2026 so far, supported by strong project pipelines, planned advertising, and expectations of more stable market conditions over the coming year.
2026-06-03