South Korea Consumer Sentiment Improves

South Korea’s Composite Consumer Sentiment Index stood at 110.8 in January 2026, up 1.0 point from 109.8 in December. Consumer sentiment regarding current living standards was 96, one point higher than in December, while expectations for the future outlook were 100, unchanged from the previous month. Sentiment about future household income remained at 103, and expectations for future household spending rose to 111. Consumers’ views on current domestic economic conditions improved to 90, while expectations for future domestic economic conditions rose to 98. Overall, the data suggest a modest improvement in confidence driven by slightly better assessments of the domestic economy and firmer spending expectations. Inflation expectations were 2.6% for the year ahead, 2.5% for the three-year horizon and 2.5% for the five-year horizon.

South Korea’s Composite Consumer Sentiment Index stood at 109.9 in December 2025, down 2.5 points from 112.4 in November. Consumer sentiment regarding current living standards was 95, one point lower than in November, while expectations for the future outlook were 100, one point lower than the previous month. Sentiment about future household income decreased to 103, and expectations for future household spending stayed at 110. Consumers’ views on current domestic economic conditions weakened to 89, while expectations for future domestic economic conditions fell to 96. Overall, the data suggest a broad deterioration in confidence driven by weaker assessments of the domestic economy and lower income expectations. Inflation expectations were 2.6% for the year ahead, 2.6% for the three-year horizon and 2.5% for the five-year horizon.

South Korea’s Composite Consumer Sentiment Index stood at 112.4 in November 2025, up 2.6 points from 109.8 in the prior month. It marked the highest reading since November 2017, reflecting renewed confidence following a major trade agreement with the US and stronger-than-expected economic growth. South Korea and the US recently finalized a $350 billion investment package that will cap American tariffs on Korean goods at 15%. Meanwhile, the GDP grew 1.2% qoq in Q3 2025, exceeding expectations and marking the fastest economic expansion in 1-½-years. Consumer sentiment toward current living standards held steady at 96, while expectations for the future outlook rose to 101. Expectations for future household income increased to 104, and anticipated household spending remained at 110. Views on current domestic economic conditions improved to 96, with future expectations rising to 102. Inflation expectations stood at 2.6% for the year ahead and 2.5% over the three- and five-year horizons.