Turkey’s manufacturing downturn showed signs of easing in May, as the Istanbul Chamber of Industry Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 49.80, up from 45.70 in April 2026. While the index remains below the 50-point threshold that separates contraction from expansion, the latest reading indicates a notable moderation in the pace of decline in factory activity.
The improvement suggests that pressure on Turkey’s manufacturing sector may be stabilizing after a weaker April, when the PMI had signaled a sharper contraction. The move closer to the neutral 50.0 mark in May points to conditions that, while still challenging, are less severe than in the previous month.
The updated data, released on 1 June 2026, will be closely watched by investors and policymakers looking for early signs of a potential turnaround in Turkey’s industrial sector, which plays a key role in the country’s growth outlook and export performance.
