South Korea Q3 GDP Growth Revised Slightly Higher

South Korea’s economy contracted by 0.2% QoQ in the three months to December 2025, compared with an earlier estimate of a 0.3% contraction and reversing a 1.3% expansion in Q3. It marked the first quarterly contraction since the first quarter of 2025, driven by softer domestic demand and a decline in non-semiconductor exports. Private consumption rose 0.3%, as spending on services increased while expenditures on goods declined. Government consumption grew 1.3%, supported by higher spending on health care benefits. Construction investment fell 3.5%, as both building construction and civil engineering activity declined. Facilities investment dropped 1.7%, led by lower spending on transportation equipment. Exports decreased 1.7%, weighed down by declines in motor vehicles and machinery & equipment. Imports fell 1.5%, reflecting lower purchases of natural gas and motor vehicles. On an annual basis, the economy expanded 3% in Q4, exceeding forecasts of 2.5%.

South Korea’s economy contracted by 0.3% QoQ in the three months to December 2025, reversing a 1.3% expansion in Q3 and missing expectations for a 0.1% increase. It marked the sharpest quarterly contraction in three years, driven by weakening domestic demand and a 1% decline in non semiconductor exports. Private consumption rose 0.3%, supported by higher spending on services such as healthcare, though goods consumption fell, led by motor vehicles. Government consumption increased 0.6%, mainly reflecting higher healthcare benefit outlays. Construction investment dropped 3.9%, with both building construction and civil engineering weakening, while facilities investment fell 1.8% due to lower spending on transportation equipment. Exports declined 2.1%, dragged down by motor vehicles and machinery and equipment, while imports fell 1.7% amid lower purchases of natural gas and motor vehicles. On a year on year basis, the economy expanded 1.5% in Q4, undershooting forecasts of 1.8%.

South Korea’s economy grew 1.3% QoQ in the three months to September 2025, a touch above the earlier estimate of 1.2% and the strongest pace in nearly four years, supported by firm exports and resilient private consumption. Household spending rose 1.3% as outlays increased for both goods such as motor vehicles and communication equipment and services such as restaurants and health services. Government consumption also climbed 1.3%, driven by higher spending on goods and health care benefits. Construction investment increased 0.6%, led by gains in civil engineering, while facilities investment expanded 2.6% on stronger machinery purchases including semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Exports grew 2.1% on solid semiconductor and motor vehicle shipments, and imports rose 2.0% on higher inflows of machinery, equipment and vehicles. On an annual basis, the economy expanded 1.8% in Q3, slightly above the initial estimate of 1.7%.