RAYMOND PARSONS
Economist | Professor | Author | Public Intellectual
NWU BUSINESS SCHOOL
Policy Uncertainty Index
Tracking policy uncertainty and what it means for confidence, investment and South Africa’s economic outlook.
3Q 2026
61.3
Previous quarter: 81.9
Baseline: 50
The index has eased, while remaining above the baseline.
Understanding the PUI
The NWU Business School publishes the PUI quarterly to track changes in policy uncertainty. A reading above 50 indicates heightened uncertainty; a lower reading signals an easing.
News coverage
References to policy uncertainty in the media.
Economists’ views
A survey of economists’ assessments of uncertainty.
Manufacturing survey
Survey evidence on political and policy constraints facing manufacturers.
The historical picture
Source: NWU Business School, 3Q 2026 report. The graph includes readings through 3Q 2026.
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© 2026 Raymond Parsons. Analysis on the economy, policy and business.
