Bangladesh April PMI recorded a slower expansion rate at 52.9

Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka and Policy Exchange Bangladesh (PEB) successfully released the Bangladesh Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) MARCH report on MAY 7, 2025.

The PMI is a pioneering initiative that aims to offer timely and accurate insights into the country's economic health to help businesses, investors, and policy makers take informed decisions. It was developed by MCCI and Policy Exchange, with support from UK Government and technical support from Singapore Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management (SIPMM).

Bangladesh's overall PMI score in April saw a decrease of 8.8 points from March to reach 52.9

The APRIL reading of the Bangladesh Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) declined by 8.8 points from the previous month to record a slower expansion rate at 52.9. The latest PMI reading was attributed to a slower rate of expansion in the manufacturing, construction, and services sectors, whereas the agriculture sector posted a faster expansion rate.

The agricultural sector posted its 7th consecutive month of expansion, at a faster rate. The industry posted faster expansion rates for the indexes of new business and business activity, whereas the input costs index posted a slower expansion rate. The employment index reverted to expansion, and the order backlog index posted a slower rate of contraction.

The manufacturing sector posted its eighth consecutive month of expansion, albeit at a slower rate. The industry posted expansion readings for most indexes, except for the order backlogs index, which recorded a faster contraction rate and had experienced contractions for nine consecutive months.

The construction sector posted its fifth consecutive month of expansion, albeit at a slower rate. The industry posted slower expansion readings for the indexes of new business, employment, and input costs. The construction activity index reverted to an expansion, whereas the order backlog index posted a faster contraction rate.

The services sector posted its seventh consecutive month of expansion, albeit at a slower rate. The sector posted slower expansion rates for the indexes of new business, employment, and input costs, whereas the business activity reverted to a contraction. The order backlogs index posted a faster contraction rate.

In terms of the future business index, faster expansion rates were recorded for the indexes of manufacturing and construction, whereas the agriculture index posted a slower expansion rate. The services index reverted to an expansion.

"The latest PMI readings indicate continued expansion in all key sectors, but at a slower rate. The April PMI is also the lowest since October 2025 when the expansion track commenced. Long stretches of public holidays leading to closure of businesses, early effect of Trump tariff on production of apparel orders, and energy supply hurdles are likely causes of the slower dynamism." - Dr. M Masrur Reaz, Chairman and CEO, Policy Exchange Bangladesh.