Kuwait PMI Rises as Egypt, Qatar Stay Weak
Kuwait's non-oil private sector expanded in October while Egypt and Qatar remained under pressure from regional conflict and supply disruptions.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Economic Indicators
Live Poll
Is your local economy getting better or worse than a year ago?
Kuwait's non-oil private sector PMI rose to 52.9 in October from 52.4 in September, extending a run above the 50-point growth threshold to four months. Egypt's non-oil PMI held at 47.2 and Qatar's non-energy PMI fell to 46.3, signaling continued contraction.
Why it matters
The divergence reflects uneven effects of the Middle East conflict, which continues to disrupt trade routes, supply chains and regional economic activity. Gulf and North African economies face higher costs and weaker demand, shaping the region's near-term outlook.
Kuwait's PMI sits above the 50-point threshold for the fourth straight month, while Qatar's non-energy sector has contracted for eight consecutive months and new business fell for an 11th month. Whether these readings reflect a durable shift or temporary swings tied to regional disruption is not yet clear.
The details
Kuwait's output and new orders rose more sharply in October, supported by export orders from neighboring countries. Egyptian non-oil firms raised selling prices at the fastest rate since June, while Qatar's non-energy employment fell for the first time since July 2024.
Timeline
September 2026: Kuwait's PMI stood at 52.4 and Qatar's at 47.3.
October 2026: PMI readings for Kuwait, Egypt and Qatar were released.
February 2026: Kuwait's new order growth last reached its current pace.
May 2026: Qatar's non-energy downturn and Egypt's input inflation were last this sharp.
Economic Outlook
The World Bank projects regional output across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan will contract 2.1 percent in 2026. The October readings show Kuwait bucking that trend while Egypt and Qatar continue to shrink.
Higher import, energy and shipping costs are being passed to buyers in Egypt, where selling prices rose at the fastest pace since June. Households in Qatar and Egypt may see slower hiring and tighter budgets as private-sector employment and new business weaken.
The takeaway
Monthly PMI readings can diverge sharply across neighboring economies facing the same regional shock. Watching the trend over several months, rather than a single reading, gives a clearer picture of which economies are recovering.
Further reading
Track more monthly gauges of activity in the Economic Indicators section.
Live Poll
Is your local economy getting better or worse than a year ago?
