Manufacturing industries: Economic indicators

Economic indicators are quick-read summaries of the latest data focusing on different aspects of the UK economy. The full suite of indicators can be found on the main Economic Indicators page.

Manufacturing is one of the production industries, which also include mining, electricity, water & waste management and oil & gas extraction.

From April to June 2026, the latest quarterly data available, the manufacturing sector accounted for 8.5% of total UK economic output (GVA).

Manufacturing Output

Monthly manufacturing output decreased by 0.5% in June 2026. Output decreased in seven of the 13 subsectors.

Manufacturing output increased by 1% in the three months to June 2026 compared with the previous three months.

Output in the three months to May 2026 increased by 1.5% compared with output in the same period the previous year.

Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)

In the S&P Global PMI, a value of 50 means that there is no change compared to the previous month. Values above 50 indicate an expansion, and values below 50 a contraction.

In the S&P Global PMI, a value of 50 means that there is no change compared to the previous month. Values above 50 indicate an expansion, and values below 50 a contraction.

The UK manufacturing PMI flash estimate for August 2026 [PDF] was 51.5, down from 51.9 in July, with the rate of expansion at a five-month low. Geopolitical uncertainty and elevated cost pressures were reported as constraints on growth.

Next updates

This page is updated when new data is published. The next source updates will be:

• ONS, Index of Production, 11 September 2026

• S&P Global, UK Manufacturing PMI, 01 September 2026