South Korea Consumer Sentiment Falls in August

South Korea’s Composite Consumer Sentiment Index fell 2.3 points to 104.5 in August 2026 from the previous month. Consumer sentiment regarding current living standards declined one point to 92, while sentiment about the future outlook fell one point to 97. Sentiment regarding future household income dropped one point to 100, while that concerning future household spending declined one point to 109. Consumer sentiment about current domestic economic conditions fell five points to 79, while sentiment regarding future domestic economic conditions declined three points to 89. Expected inflation over the next year was 2.7%, while three- and five-year inflation expectations were both 2.6%.

South Korea's Composite Consumer Sentiment Index edged up to 106.8 in July 2026 from 106.6 in June. Households became slightly more optimistic about future income, with the corresponding index rising to 101 from 100, while expectations for future spending held steady at 110. Sentiment regarding current living standards slipped to 93 from 94, although expectations for future living conditions improved to 98 from 97. Consumers were slightly less optimistic about current domestic economic conditions, with the index falling to 84 from 86, while expectations for the economy over the next six months remained unchanged at 92. Inflation expectations were stable, with households projecting consumer prices to rise 2.7% over the next year, while three- and five-year inflation expectations both stood at 2.6%.

South Korea’s Composite Consumer Sentiment Index rose by 0.5 points to 106.6 in June 2026 compared with the previous month. Consumer sentiment regarding current domestic economic conditions increased three points to 86, while expectations for future economic conditions slipped one point to 92. Sentiment on current living standards rose one point to 94, while the outlook for future living standards remained unchanged at 97. Expectations for future household income and spending were also unchanged at 100 and 110, respectively. Meanwhile, the expected inflation rate for the next year stood at 2.8%, while three-year and five-year inflation expectations were 2.7% and 2.6%, respectively.