South Africa Manufacturing PMI

Last Release

Oct 31, 2025

Actual

49.2

Units In

Points

50.8

Frequency

Monthly

Next Release

Dec 01, 2025

Time to Release

25 Days 17 Hours

Highest	Lowest	Average	Date Range	Source
60 Mar 2022	30.67 Apr 2020	50.7 Points	1999-2025	Bureau for Economic Research (BER)

The Absa Manufacturing PMI is a monthly survey of purchasing managers in South Africa's manufacturing sector. The index provides leading indications of business conditions in the sector. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally declining.

Latest Updates

South Africa’s seasonally adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 49.2 in October 2025 from 50.8 in the previous month, indicating that the country’s factory activity has returned to contraction. The business activity sub-index dropped by 5 points to 49.4 in October. “Business confidence remains low as the sector continues to navigate external trade constraints, supply-side uncertainty, and cost volatility,” Absa said. Signs of caution persisted as the sub-index tracking expected business conditions in six months declined by over 3 points to 46.1. Meanwhile, the South African government is seeking to persuade US President Donald Trump to reduce the 30% tariff imposed on South African exports to the US in August, but no progress has been made so far.