Malaysia’s manufacturing sector returned to expansion territory in March 2026, with the Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rising to 50.70 from 49.30 in February 2026, on a month-over-month basis.
The move above the 50-point threshold, based on data updated as of 01 April 2026, signals an improvement in operating conditions compared with the previous month, when the sector had been in mild contraction. The February PMI reading of 49.30 had itself reflected a deterioration versus January, while March’s 50.70 indicates that conditions have strengthened relative to February.
Under the comparison methodology used, the “Actual” March figure measures the change in activity versus February 2026, whereas the “Previous” February value captures the change versus January 2026. The latest reading suggests that momentum in Malaysia’s manufacturing industry has shifted from contraction to modest growth as the first quarter of 2026 concludes.
