South Africa Private Sector Activity Contracts in May
The S&P Global South Africa PMI fell to 49.6 in May from 51.6 in April, marking the first contraction in five months. Business output and new orders declined due to higher fuel costs and geopolitical uncertainty, though confidence regarding the year ahead reached a 2026 high.
Insights:
South Africa's private sector activity dropped to 49.6 in May, marking its first contraction in four months. The S&P Global PMI fell from 51.6 in April as output and new orders declined. Rising fuel costs and geopolitical tension in Iran are cooling demand across major trade routes.
