The AIB Ireland Services PMI rose to 50.8 in May 2026 from 49.7 in April, indicating a slight expansion in activity, though it remained below its long-run average of 55. This was the highest reading since February, underpinned by a renewed increase in new business. The pace of new business growth was the strongest in three months but remained muted by historical standards for the survey.
Among sectors, technology, media & telecoms recorded the fastest increase in activity, followed by business services and financial services. In contrast, transport, tourism & leisure saw a marked decline, although the rate of contraction was slower than in April.
Employment rose at the quickest rate in four months, supported by improved expectations for future business activity. On the price front, input costs increased, driven by higher fuel prices, wage pressures, and rising supplier charges. Overall input cost inflation was broadly unchanged from April’s 40‑month high. Firms continued to pass higher costs on to customers, resulting in further increases in selling prices, though the rate of output price inflation eased from April’s two‑year peak.
