The Greek manufacturing sector reported its strongest improvement for five months at the start of 2026, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) published by S&P Global.
The headline PMI rose to 54.2 in January 2026, up from 52.9 in December 2025, the biggest increase since August 2025, the data showed.
Output growth
As the data indicated, the performance of the sector was driven by an expansion of output and new orders at sharper rates than in previous months, as well as a ‘sustained’ rise in employment.
At the same time, supply chain issues drove up input costs for the month, with lead times seeing a notable extension, leading to some stock depletion, if only marginally.
Employment in the Greek manufacturing sector also rose in January, continuing a trend of increases dating back to December 2024. Job creation was boosted by higher production requirements and rising demand, with the increase in numbers enabling manufacturers to meet new order requirements more effectively.
Looking ahead, Greek manufacturers are ‘confident’ of a rise in production as 2026 continues, with the level of optimism in the sector at its highest level since March 2025. Projected growth is linked to anticipated increases in construction activity, planned product development and new releases, as well as hopes of sustained growth in new orders.
‘A buoyant note’
“The Greek manufacturing sector started 2026 on a buoyant note, according to January PMI data,” commented Siân Jones, principal economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence. “Expansions in output and new orders quickened, while job creation and input buying were sustained. A stronger outlook for the coming year was also boosted by expectations of growth across the Greek economy.
“On a less positive note, supply chains continued to struggle following protests and road blockages as lead times lengthened markedly. Delays added to cost pressures which strengthened again, in part on the back of higher metals prices. However, demand conditions were healthy enough to accommodate a sharper uptick in selling prices. Expected to stay above target (2%), the latest S&P Global Market Intelligence forecast for consumer price inflation nonetheless anticipates the rate cooling to 2.4% in 2026.” Read more here.
