Inflation South Korea 1988
Average inflation: 7.2%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 7.2%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in March at 8.5%. The lowest inflation was in October at 6.1%.
- Highest month
- March: 8.5%
- Lowest month
- October: 6.1%
- Difference
- 2.4 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 10.7%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -0.0%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 10.7%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: -0.0%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 3.6% higher than the 5-year average of 3.6%.
- 5-year average
- 3.6%
- 10-year average
- 9.7%
- All-time high (1980)
- 28.6%
- All-time low (1984)
- 2.3%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1987, inflation has risen by +4.1 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +4.1 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- March: +7.4 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 5.2% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this high inflation rate, purchasing power rapidly decreases. This has a major impact on households, especially without adequate salary increases.
What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €107.20 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1988
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1987 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6.2% | +5.3 |
| February | 7.8% | +7.3 |
| March | 8.5% | +7.4 |
| April | 7.7% | +5.9 |
| May | 6.6% | +3.9 |
| June | 7.4% | +4.6 |
| July | 7.9% | +5.5 |
| August | 6.9% | +2.9 |
| September | 6.5% | +2.4 |
| October | 6.1% | +0.9 |
| November | 7.2% | +2.0 |
| December | 7.2% | +1.1 |
| Average | 7.2% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.