Inflation South Korea 2003

Average inflation: 3.5%

Current Inflation

Inflation is high at 3.5%, well above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in March at 4.5%. The lowest inflation was in June at 3.0%.

Highest month
March: 4.5%
Lowest month
June: 3.0%
Difference
1.5 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Education with an average of 5.9%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -5.2%.

Highest increase
Education: 5.9%
Lowest increase
Communication: -5.2%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 0.8% higher than the 5-year average of 2.7%.

5-year average
2.7%
10-year average
4.1%
All-time high (1991)
9.3%
All-time low (1999)
0.8%

Trend

Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2002, the difference is minimal (+0.7 percentage point).

Change vs. previous year
+0.7 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
March: +2.2 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 1.5% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.

Purchasing Power

At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.

What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €103.50 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2003

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
4.7%
+1.2vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
2.8%
-0.7vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
3.5%
+0.0vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
4.3%
+0.8vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
2.0%
-1.5vs avg.
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Health
2.2%
-1.3vs avg.
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Transport
4.1%
+0.6vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-5.2%
-8.7vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
0.4%
-3.1vs avg.
More details →
Education
5.9%
+2.4vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
3.7%
+0.2vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
2.5%
-1.0vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2002
January 3.8% +1.2
February 3.9% +1.3
March 4.5% +2.2
April 3.7% +1.2
May 3.2% +0.2
June 3.0% +0.4
July 3.2% +1.1
August 3.0% +0.6
September 3.3% +0.2
October 3.7% +0.9
November 3.4% -0.1
December 3.4% -0.3
Average 3.5%

Data source

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

See also