South Korea’s industrial production declined 1.9% month-on-month in January 2026, reversing a 1.5% increase in December and surprising markets that had expected a 0.5% rise. The contraction was largely driven by weaker construction and manufacturing activity, which fell 11.3% and 2.1%, respectively. By contrast, private consumption and facility investment posted gains. The weaker-than-expected data cloud the outlook for the country’s economic momentum and underscore ongoing headwinds in the manufacturing sector. On a year-on-year basis, industrial output surged 7.1% in January, accelerating from a 1.4% rise in December and significantly exceeding forecasts of 2.2%. source: Statistics Korea

Industrial Production in South Korea decreased 1.90 percent in January of 2026 over the previous month. Industrial Production Mom in South Korea averaged 0.54 percent from 1980 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 11.00 percent in September of 1987 and a record low of -11.00 percent in August of 1987. This page provides the latest reported value for - South Korea Industrial Production Mom - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. South Korea Industrial Production Mom - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

Industrial Production in South Korea decreased 1.90 percent in January of 2026 over the previous month. Industrial Production Mom in South Korea is expected to be 0.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Korea Industrial Production Mom is projected to trend around 2.00 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-01-29 11:00 PM
Industrial Production MoM
Dec 1.7% 0.6% 0.5% 0.5%
2026-03-03 11:00 PM
Industrial Production MoM
Jan -1.9% 1.5% 0.5% 0.6%
2026-03-30 11:00 PM
Industrial Production MoM
Feb -1.9% -0.5%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Capacity Utilization 104.70 105.70 points Jan 2026
Industrial Production YoY 7.10 1.40 percent Jan 2026
Industrial Production MoM -1.90 1.50 percent Jan 2026
Manufacturing Production YoY 7.20 1.40 percent Jan 2026
Mining Production -1.90 0.10 percent Jan 2026
New Orders 13971611.00 13968822.00 KRW Million Jan 2026


South Korea Industrial Production Mom
In South Korea, industrial production measures the output of businesses integrated in industrial sector of the economy such as manufacturing, mining, and utilities.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-1.90 1.50 11.00 -11.00 1980 - 2026 percent Monthly
2015=100, SA

News Stream
South Korea Industrial Output Unexpectedly Falls
South Korea’s industrial production declined 1.9% month-on-month in January 2026, reversing a 1.5% increase in December and surprising markets that had expected a 0.5% rise. The contraction was largely driven by weaker construction and manufacturing activity, which fell 11.3% and 2.1%, respectively. By contrast, private consumption and facility investment posted gains. The weaker-than-expected data cloud the outlook for the country’s economic momentum and underscore ongoing headwinds in the manufacturing sector. On a year-on-year basis, industrial output surged 7.1% in January, accelerating from a 1.4% rise in December and significantly exceeding forecasts of 2.2%.
2026-03-03
South Korea Industrial Output Growth Hits 5-Year Low in 2025
South Korea’s industrial production rose 0.5% year-on-year in 2025, marking the slowest pace of growth in five years, as gains were largely supported by strong semiconductor demand. In December, industrial output increased 1.7% month-on-month, the strongest rise in four months and well above market expectations of a 0.5% increase. The monthly rebound was driven by a pickup in semiconductor production amid inventory restocking and firmer external demand, while output in the automobile and machinery sectors stabilized following earlier disruptions. On a year-on-year basis, industrial output fell 0.3% in December, improving from a 1.4% decline in November and coming in better than forecasts for a 2.1% drop.
2026-01-29
South Korea Industrial Output Grows Less than Estimated
South Korea’s industrial production rose 0.6% month-over-month in November 2025, recovering from a revised 4.2% decline in the previous month, though still falling short of market expectations for a 2.2% gain. The upturn marked the first monthly expansion since August, supported by an improvement in manufacturing activity toward year-end. Output benefited from a pickup in semiconductor production amid inventory restocking and firmer external demand, alongside stabilization in automobile and machinery output after earlier disruptions. On a year-on-year basis, industrial output declined 1.4%, a much slower pace than the revised 8.2% drop in October, suggesting that the downturn in industrial activity may be gradually easing.
2025-12-29