Indian Economy Expands Rapidly in December

The First Data on Economic Activity Levels in India - Every Month
The only survey with current month, month-on-month, monthly year-on-year, and forward looking questions
Updated: December 18, 2025

Indian sales managers reported another month of rapid economic expansion in December. The Headline Sales Managers Index eased marginally to 53.2 but remained comfortably in rapid growth territory, continuing the pattern of steady progress seen throughout 2025.

The forward-looking Business Confidence Index dipped slightly in December, yet staying well above the neutral 50 mark. Sales managers continue to express a positive near-term outlook, supported by resilient domestic demand despite a modest cooling from the levels seen in recent months.

Note: Data Shown as a Diffusion Index. (50 = 'No Change', above 50 = Increasing growth, below 50 = Declining growth)

Sales activity held steady at the previous month's level, maintaining healthy expansion and reflecting ongoing robust demand. Current growth measures continue to show a rapid pace of activity as the year draws to a close. The broader trend remains one of consistent strength, with little evidence of any significant loss of momentum across sectors.

Hiring continues at a cautious but sustained rate, in line with the gradual improvement observed over much of the past year.

The Prices Charged Index rose to its highest level in seven months, indicating firms are retaining reasonable pricing power amid firm demand. This measured increase suggests price pressures contained within the context of the prevailing economic strength.

Overall, December’s survey confirms that the Indian economy is maintaining a strong and stable pace of growth. While some forward-looking and current activity measures have eased slightly from recent peaks, all key indexes remain clearly above the 50 thresholds, supporting a continued positive outlook into 2026.

Sales Managers Index Components

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About the Sales Managers Indexes

The Sales Managers' Indexes provide the earliest monthly data on the speed and direction of economic activity in key growth areas of the world.

The SMI’s (Sales Managers’ Indexes) are compiled and analysed by World Economics and are based on survey data collected from a panel of companies stratifying all Industry Classification Board (ICB) sectors which are weighted to reflect their contribution to national Gross Domestic Product.

Key advantages of the SMI's:

• The SMI's provide the first indication each month of the speed and direction of economic growth.
• The SMI's provide the most complete indication of growth, covering all private sector activity.
• The SMI's are based on a key occupational group - sales executives - uniquely able to sense accurate changes in business activity levels.
• The SMI survey base - salespeople - are used by virtually all businesses, including in frontier markets, unlike other occupational groups.
• The SMI's focus on the key countries contributing to over 60% of global growth in recent years.