South Korea’s industrial production dropped by 3.0% month-on-month in May 2026, following a 0.7% decline in the previous month. It was the steepest decline since last October, due to a faster fall in manufacturing (-3.0% vs -0.8% in April). Chips and pharmaceutical products mainly weighed down the decline in manufacturing activity, while the automobile sector increased. Manufacturing production declined for both domestic (-5.0% vs -4.2%) and overseas (-2.6% vs 2.4%) demand. In contrast, services activity rose 1.3%, rebounding from a 0.9% drop in the previous month. On a yearly basis, industrial production fell 0.9% in May, reversing a 1.5% rise in April and marking the first decline in three months. source: Statistics Korea

Industrial Production in South Korea decreased 3 percent in May 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 July of 2026.

Industrial Production in South Korea decreased 3 percent in May of 2026 over the previous month. Industrial Production Mom in South Korea is expected to be -0.50 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 and 0.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-28 11:00 PM
Industrial Production MoM
Apr -0.7% 0.6% 0.3% 0.9%
2026-06-29 11:00 PM
Industrial Production MoM
May -3% -0.7% 1.7%
2026-07-30 11:00 PM
Industrial Production MoM
Jun -3% -0.5%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Capacity Utilization 105.00 105.10 points May 2026
Industrial Production YoY -0.90 1.50 percent May 2026
Industrial Production MoM -3.00 -0.70 percent May 2026
Manufacturing Production YoY -0.90 1.50 percent May 2026
Mining Production -8.90 -4.70 percent May 2026
New Orders 18795953.00 16502649.00 KRW Million May 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
-3.00 -0.70 11.00 -11.00 1980 - 2026 percent Monthly
2015=100, SA

News Stream
South Korea Industrial Output Falls the Most in 7 Months
South Korea’s industrial production dropped by 3.0% month-on-month in May 2026, following a 0.7% decline in the previous month. It was the steepest decline since last October, due to a faster fall in manufacturing (-3.0% vs -0.8% in April). Chips and pharmaceutical products mainly weighed down the decline in manufacturing activity, while the automobile sector increased. Manufacturing production declined for both domestic (-5.0% vs -4.2%) and overseas (-2.6% vs 2.4%) demand. In contrast, services activity rose 1.3%, rebounding from a 0.9% drop in the previous month. On a yearly basis, industrial production fell 0.9% in May, reversing a 1.5% rise in April and marking the first decline in three months.
2026-06-29
South Korea Industrial Output Unexpectedly Falls
South Korea’s industrial production fell by 0.7% month-on-month in April 2026, surprising markets that had expected a 0.3% gain and slipping from an upwardly revised 0.6% increase in the previous month. The decline was driven by weaker manufacturing activity, which dropped 0.8%, as output of automobiles and petroleum refining fell sharply. Auto production tumbled 10.0% amid lower output of large and hybrid passenger vehicles, while petroleum refining sank 19.4% due to weaker diesel and gasoline production. In contrast, semiconductor output rose 3.1%, while pharmaceutical production jumped 13.3%. Services activity also contracted 1.0%, weighed down by declines in finance and insurance as well as wholesale and retail trade, though information and communication output rose 4.3%. On a yearly basis, industrial production increased 1.5% in April, falling short of market forecasts for a 2.2% rise and slowing from a revised 3.9% gain in March.
2026-05-28
South Korea Industrial Output Growth Tops Forecasts
South Korea’s industrial production grew 0.3% month-on-month in March 2026, easing sharply from a downwardly revised 5.3% increase in February but slightly exceeding market expectations for a 0.2% rise. The growth in output was supported by a 0.3% expansion in manufacturing. Services activity also rose 1.4%, while the construction sector and public administration contracted by 7.3% and 3.3%, respectively. In the first quarter of the year, industrial output expanded 2.7% compared to the previous quarter. On a year-on-year basis, industrial output rose 3.6% in March, rebounding from an upwardly revised 2.3% decline in February but falling short of forecasts for a 3.8% increase.
2026-04-29