UAE Non-Oil Private Sector Growth Holds at 20-Month High

2026-10-05 05:01 By Erika Ordonez 1 min. read

The S&P Global UAE PMI was unchanged at 55.3 in September 2026, matching August's 20-month high and signalling a marked improvement in non-oil private sector business conditions.

Growth was supported by a rapid increase in output, which accelerated to a seven-month high, while new orders continued to rise markedly despite easing from August's seven-month high.

Export demand also strengthened, with new business from abroad expanding for a third consecutive month and at the fastest pace since November 2024.

Stronger demand gave firms greater pricing power, pushing output price inflation to its highest since May 2011, while purchase costs rose at the fastest pace in three months amid higher raw material and freight charges.

Employment resumed a modest increase after falling in August, although outstanding business accumulated sharply again as workloads remained elevated.

Purchasing activity also rose rapidly, while input inventories increased at the fastest pace since November 2023.



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UAE Non-Oil Private Sector Growth Holds at 20-Month High
The S&P Global UAE PMI was unchanged at 55.3 in September 2026, matching August's 20-month high and signalling a marked improvement in non-oil private sector business conditions. Growth was supported by a rapid increase in output, which accelerated to a seven-month high, while new orders continued to rise markedly despite easing from August's seven-month high. Export demand also strengthened, with new business from abroad expanding for a third consecutive month and at the fastest pace since November 2024. Stronger demand gave firms greater pricing power, pushing output price inflation to its highest since May 2011, while purchase costs rose at the fastest pace in three months amid higher raw material and freight charges. Employment resumed a modest increase after falling in August, although outstanding business accumulated sharply again as workloads remained elevated. Purchasing activity also rose rapidly, while input inventories increased at the fastest pace since November 2023.
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