Inflation South Korea 2019
Average inflation: 0.4%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very low at 0.4%, well below the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 0.8%. The lowest inflation was in September at -0.4%.
- Highest month
- January: 0.8%
- Lowest month
- September: -0.4%
- Difference
- 1.2 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance with an average of 2.1%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -2.3%.
- Highest increase
- Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance: 2.1%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: -2.3%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 0.7% lower than the 5-year average of 1.1%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (0.4% in 2019).
- 5-year average
- 1.1%
- 10-year average
- 1.7%
- All-time high (2008)
- 4.7%
- All-time low (2019)
- 0.4%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2018, inflation has fallen by +1.1 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -1.1 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- September: -2.5 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.6% 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 €100.40 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2019
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0.8% | 0.0 |
| February | 0.5% | -0.8 |
| March | 0.4% | -0.8 |
| April | 0.6% | -0.9 |
| May | 0.7% | -0.8 |
| June | 0.7% | -0.8 |
| July | 0.6% | -0.5 |
| August | 0.0% | -1.4 |
| September | -0.4% | -2.5 |
| October | 0.0% | -2.0 |
| November | 0.2% | -1.8 |
| December | 0.7% | -0.6 |
| Average | 0.4% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.