Inflation South Korea 2009
Average inflation: 2.8%
Inflation in 2009
Inflation is normal at 2.8%, around the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in February at 4.1%. The lowest inflation was in July at 1.6%.
- Highest month
- February: 4.1%
- Lowest month
- July: 1.6%
- Difference
- 2.5 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 7.7%. The lowest price increase was in Transport with an average of -3.4%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 7.7%
- Lowest increase
- Transport: -3.4%
Historical Context
Inflation is around the 5-year average of 3.0%.
- 5-year average
- 3%
- 10-year average
- 3.1%
- All-time high (1991)
- 9.3%
- All-time low (1999)
- 0.8%
Trend
Over the period 2007-2009, inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2008, inflation has fallen by 1.9 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -1.9 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- July: -4.3 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 0.8 percentage points 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 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2009
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3.7% | -0.2 |
| February | 4.1% | +0.5 |
| March | 3.9% | 0.0 |
| April | 3.6% | -0.5 |
| May | 2.7% | -2.2 |
| June | 2.0% | -3.5 |
| July | 1.6% | -4.3 |
| August | 2.2% | -3.4 |
| September | 2.2% | -2.9 |
| October | 2.0% | -2.8 |
| November | 2.4% | -2.1 |
| December | 2.8% | -1.3 |
| Average | 2.8% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.