South Africa Manufacturing PMI

Last Release

Jul 31, 2025

Actual

50.8

Units In

Points

48.5

Frequency

Monthly

Next Release

Sep 01, 2025

Time to Release

29 Days 8 Hours

Highest	Lowest	Average	Date Range	Source
60 Mar 2022	30.67 Apr 2020	50.71 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) rose to 50.8 in July 2025 from 48.5 in June, marking the manufacturing sector’s first return to positive territory in nine months. The expansion was driven by a strong recovery in demand, with the new sales orders surging by 9.8 points to 55.9—its third consecutive monthly improvement. However, signs of caution persisted, as the employment and expected business conditions sub-indices fell by 6 and 6.1 points, respectively, reflecting concerns over volatile global trade policies. The sector also faces headwinds from a 30% US tariff on South African exports starting next week, which could cost tens of thousands of jobs following the lapse of a trade deal deadline set by US President Donald Trump.