South Korea’s imports grew 11.7% year-on-year to US 57.1 billion in January 2026, after a 4.6% increase in the previous month and softer than market expectations of a 14.6% gain, flash data showed. It was the third consecutive month of import growth and the fastest increase since September 2022. Non-energy imports rose by 18.4% from a year earlier to USD 47.08 billion, while energy imports fell 11.9% to USD 10.03 billion. In 2025, imports edged down 0.02% to USD 631.7 billion. source: Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE)

Imports YoY in South Korea increased to 11.70 percent in January from 4.60 percent in December of 2025. Imports YoY in South Korea averaged 14.68 percent from 1967 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 115.60 percent in February of 1974 and a record low of -43.90 percent in July of 1998. This page includes a chart with historical data for South Korea Imports YoY. South Korea Imports YoY - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on February of 2026.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-01-01 12:00 AM
Imports YoY
Dec 4.6% 1.1% 2.4%
2026-02-01 12:00 AM
Imports YoY
Jan 11.7% 4.6% 14.6%
2026-03-01 12:00 AM
Imports YoY
Feb 11.7%


South Korea Imports YoY
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
11.70 4.60 115.60 -43.90 1967 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
South Korea Import Growth Below Estimates
South Korea’s imports grew 11.7% year-on-year to USD 57.1 billion in January 2026, following a 4.6% increase in the previous month and coming in below market expectations of a 14.6% gain, according to flash data. It marked the third consecutive month of import growth and the fastest increase since September 2022. Non-energy imports rose 18.4% from a year earlier to USD 47.08 billion, while energy imports fell 11.9% to USD 10.03 billion. In 2025, imports edged down 0.02% to USD 631.7 billion.
2026-02-01
South Korea Imports Rise More than Expected
South Korea’s imports climbed 4.6% year-on-year to a 33-month high of USD 57.40 billion in December 2025, after a downwardly revised 1.1% increase in the previous month and exceeding market expectations of a 2.4% gain, flash data showed. It was the second consecutive month of growth, supported by higher non-energy imports, such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment. In contrast, energy imports fell due to lower oil prices. For the full year of 2025, imports edged down 0.02% to USD 631.7 billion. The country relies heavily on energy purchases from abroad, making it the world’s eighth-largest consumer. In 2024, imports fell 1.6% from the previous year to USD 632.0 billion.
2026-01-01
South Korea Imports Grow Less than Estimated
South Korea’s imports rose 1.2% year-on-year to USD 51.30 billion in November 2025, reversing a 1.5% drop in the prior month but falling short of market forecasts of a 3.4% gain, flash data showed. The mild rebound was supported by firmer energy demand heading into the year-end, though broader import momentum remained subdued amid softer consumer spending and cautious manufacturing activity. The recently strengthened trade cooperation with the U.S. may help stabilise demand for key industrial inputs going forward. At the same time, Seoul’s targeted fiscal measures and consumption incentives could gradually lift purchases of consumer and intermediate goods. Still, the recovery is likely to remain uneven amid weak household sentiment, cautious inventory restocking, and lingering uncertainty over China’s economic trajectory.
2025-12-01


International Trade
Exports by Country  |   Exports by Category  |   Imports by Country  |   Imports by Category