Inflation South Korea 2018
Average inflation: 1.5%
Current Inflation
Inflation is low at 1.5%, below the ECB target of 2%.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in September at 2.1%. The lowest inflation was in January at 0.8%.
- Highest month
- September: 2.1%
- Lowest month
- January: 0.8%
- Difference
- 1.3 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Restaurants and hotels with an average of 3.0%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -0.9%.
- Highest increase
- Restaurants and hotels: 3.0%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: -0.9%
Historical Context
Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 1.3%.
- 5-year average
- 1.3%
- 10-year average
- 2%
- All-time high (2008)
- 4.7%
- All-time low (2015)
- 0.7%
Trend
Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2017, the difference is minimal (-0.5 percentage point).
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.5 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- January: -1.4 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 0.5% 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 €101.50 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2018
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0.8% | -1.4 |
| February | 1.3% | -0.8 |
| March | 1.2% | -1.1 |
| April | 1.5% | -0.5 |
| May | 1.5% | -0.5 |
| June | 1.5% | -0.3 |
| July | 1.1% | -1.1 |
| August | 1.4% | -1.1 |
| September | 2.1% | +0.1 |
| October | 2.0% | +0.2 |
| November | 2.0% | +0.8 |
| December | 1.3% | -0.1 |
| Average | 1.5% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.