Inflation South Korea 2025

Average inflation: 2.1%

Current Inflation

Inflation is normal at 2.1%, around the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in October at 2.4%. The lowest inflation was in August at 1.7%.

Highest month
October: 2.4%
Lowest month
August: 1.7%
Difference
0.7 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Miscellaneous goods and services with an average of 4.5%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -1.0%.

Highest increase
Miscellaneous goods and services: 4.5%
Lowest increase
Communication: -1.0%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 1.0% lower than the 5-year average of 3.1%.

5-year average
3.1%
10-year average
2.1%
All-time high (2022)
5.1%
All-time low (2019)
0.4%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2024, inflation has fallen by +0.2 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-0.2 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
February: -1.1 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is close to the ECB target of 2.0%.

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 €102.10 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2025

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
3.3%
+1.2vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
0.3%
-1.9vs avg.
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Clothing and footwear
2.0%
-0.1vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
1.6%
-0.5vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
2.9%
+0.8vs avg.
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Health
1.1%
-1.0vs avg.
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Transport
1.4%
-0.7vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-1.0%
-3.1vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
1.1%
-1.0vs avg.
More details →
Education
2.3%
+0.2vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
3.1%
+1.0vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
4.5%
+2.4vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2024
January 2.2% -0.6
February 2.0% -1.1
March 2.1% -1.0
April 2.1% -0.8
May 1.9% -0.8
June 2.2% -0.2
July 2.1% -0.5
August 1.7% -0.3
September 2.1% +0.5
October 2.4% +1.1
November 2.4% +0.9
December 2.3% +0.4
Average 2.1%

Data source

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

See also