Inflation South Korea 1989

Average inflation: 5.7%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very high at 5.7%, far above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in January at 6.8%. The lowest inflation was in March at 4.6%.

Highest month
January: 6.8%
Lowest month
March: 4.6%
Difference
2.2 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Restaurants and hotels with an average of 15.1%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -10.8%.

Highest increase
Restaurants and hotels: 15.1%
Lowest increase
Communication: -10.8%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 1.4% higher than the 5-year average of 4.3%.

5-year average
4.3%
10-year average
8.4%
All-time high (1980)
28.6%
All-time low (1984)
2.3%

Trend

Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1988, inflation has risen by -1.5 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-1.5 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
March: -3.9 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 3.7% 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 €105.70 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 1989

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
6.2%
+0.5vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
5.0%
-0.7vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
13.1%
+7.4vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
4.2%
-1.5vs avg.
More details →
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
6.8%
+1.1vs avg.
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Health
3.0%
-2.7vs avg.
More details →
Transport
3.2%
-2.5vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-10.8%
-16.5vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
2.6%
-3.1vs avg.
More details →
Education
9.1%
+3.4vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
15.1%
+9.4vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
0.2%
-5.5vs avg.
More details →

Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 1988
January 6.8% +0.6
February 5.4% -2.4
March 4.6% -3.9
April 5.2% -2.5
May 6.0% -0.6
June 5.5% -1.9
July 5.3% -2.6
August 5.5% -1.4
September 6.2% -0.3
October 6.7% +0.6
November 6.1% -1.1
December 5.1% -2.1
Average 5.7%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.

See also