Inflation South Korea 2026
Average inflation: 2.7%
Inflation in 2026
Inflation is normal at 2.7%, around the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in June at 3.2%. The lowest inflation was in January at 2.0%.
- Highest month
- June: 3.2%
- Lowest month
- January: 2.0%
- Difference
- 1.2 percentage points
- Months with data
- 9 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 6.9%. The lowest price increase was in Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics with an average of 0.4%.
- Highest increase
- Transport: 6.9%
- Lowest increase
- Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 0.4%
Historical Context
Inflation is around the 5-year average of 3.2%.
- 5-year average
- 3.2%
- 10-year average
- 2.3%
- All-time high (2022)
- 5.1%
- All-time low (2019)
- 0.4%
Trend
Over the period 2024-2026, inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2025, inflation has risen by 0.6 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.6 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- August: +1.4 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 0.7 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 2026
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.0% | -0.2 |
| February | 2.0% | 0.0 |
| March | 2.2% | +0.1 |
| April | 2.6% | +0.5 |
| May | 3.1% | +1.2 |
| June | 3.2% | +1.0 |
| July | 2.8% | +0.7 |
| August | 3.1% | +1.4 |
| September | 2.9% | +0.8 |
| Average | 2.7% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 10/10/2026. Not all months available yet.