Inflation South Korea 1999
Average inflation: 0.8%
Inflation in 1999
Inflation is very low at 0.8%, well below the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 1.5%. The lowest inflation was in February at 0.2%.
- Highest month
- January: 1.5%
- Lowest month
- February: 0.2%
- Difference
- 1.3 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics with an average of 6.5%. The lowest price increase was in Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with an average of -3.0%.
- Highest increase
- Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 6.5%
- Lowest increase
- Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: -3.0%
Historical Context
Inflation is 3.6 percentage points lower than the 5-year average of 4.4%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (0.8% in 1999).
- 5-year average
- 4.4%
- 10-year average
- 5.7%
- All-time high (1980)
- 28.6%
- All-time low (1999)
- 0.8%
Trend
Over the period 1997-1999, inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1998, inflation has fallen by 6.7 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -6.7 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- February: -9.3 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.2 percentage points below the ECB target of 2.0%. Too low inflation may indicate economic weakness.
Purchasing Power
At this inflation rate, purchasing power gradually decreases. The impact on daily expenses is relatively limited.
What you could buy for ₩100 this year will cost approximately ₩101 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1999
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.5% | -6.8 |
| February | 0.2% | -9.3 |
| March | 0.5% | -8.5 |
| April | 0.4% | -8.4 |
| May | 0.8% | -7.4 |
| June | 0.6% | -6.9 |
| July | 0.3% | -7.0 |
| August | 0.9% | -6.0 |
| September | 0.8% | -6.1 |
| October | 1.2% | -6.0 |
| November | 1.4% | -5.4 |
| December | 1.4% | -2.6 |
| Average | 0.8% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.