Inflation South Korea 2016

Average inflation: 1.0%

Current Inflation

Inflation is low at 1.0%, below the ECB target of 2%.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in October at 1.5%. The lowest inflation was in July at 0.4%.

Highest month
October: 1.5%
Lowest month
July: 0.4%
Difference
1.1 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Miscellaneous goods and services with an average of 3.4%. The lowest price increase was in Transport with an average of -2.2%.

Highest increase
Miscellaneous goods and services: 3.4%
Lowest increase
Transport: -2.2%

Historical Context

Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 1.3%.

5-year average
1.3%
10-year average
2.3%
All-time high (1998)
7.5%
All-time low (2015)
0.7%

Trend

Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2015, the difference is minimal (+0.3 percentage point).

Change vs. previous year
+0.3 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
September: +0.8 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 1.0% 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 €101.00 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2016

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
2.3%
+1.3vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
0.7%
-0.3vs avg.
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Clothing and footwear
1.8%
+0.8vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
-0.8%
-1.8vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
1.6%
+0.6vs avg.
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Health
1.0%
-0.0vs avg.
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Transport
-2.2%
-3.2vs avg.
More details →
Communication
0.1%
-0.9vs avg.
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Recreation and culture
1.8%
+0.8vs avg.
More details →
Education
1.6%
+0.6vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
2.5%
+1.5vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
3.4%
+2.4vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2015
January 0.6% -0.4
February 1.1% +0.5
March 0.8% +0.3
April 1.0% +0.6
May 0.8% +0.2
June 0.7% 0.0
July 0.4% -0.3
August 0.5% -0.2
September 1.3% +0.8
October 1.5% +0.7
November 1.5% +0.7
December 1.3% +0.2
Average 1.0%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.

See also