Egypt’s Non‑Oil Private Sector Output Extends Growth Run In January, But Demand Softens PMI
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The headline seasonally adjusted S&P Global Egypt Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) edged down to 49.8 in January from 50.2 in December, signalling a marginal deterioration in overall operating conditions.
S&P Global noted that output rose again, supported by stronger foreign demand, while domestic sales slipped slightly after two months of expansion.
A sharp decline in work backlogs — the fastest in almost three years — helped drive a notable drop in employment, which marked the largest fall since October 2023.
David Owen, a senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, warned that shrinking backlogs could leave firms with less room to expand in the months ahead.
Companies also cut selling prices for the first time since mid-2020 as cost pressures eased, the survey showed.
Looking forward, firms remained cautiously optimistic, with expectations over the next 12 months only marginally positive.
