The S&P Global South Korea Manufacturing PMI rose to 54.8 in May 2026 from 53.6 in April, marking the strongest expansion since March 2021. Output and new orders grew at their fastest pace in around five years, supported by stronger domestic demand and inventory-building efforts as firms sought to guard against rising costs linked to the Middle East war. Production growth also hit a five-year high, while purchasing activity increased at the quickest rate since July 2021. Stronger demand encouraged manufacturers to expand payrolls, with employment rising at the fastest pace since March 2013, while backlogs increased for a fifth straight month. However, delivery times lengthened further amid raw material shortages and disruptions. Input cost inflation remained near April’s record high, driven by higher raw material, oil prices and a weaker currency, while selling-price inflation stayed among the highest in the survey’s history. Lastly, business confidence improved to a three-month high. source: S&P Global
Manufacturing PMI in South Korea increased to 54.80 points in May from 53.60 points in April of 2026. Manufacturing PMI in South Korea averaged 49.64 points from 2011 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 55.30 points in February of 2021 and a record low of 41.30 points in May of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - South Korea Manufacturing PMI - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.
Manufacturing PMI in South Korea increased to 54.80 points in May from 53.60 points in April of 2026. Manufacturing PMI in South Korea is expected to be 55.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Korea Manufacturing PMI is projected to trend around 52.90 points in 2027 and 52.50 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.