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South Korea CPI Inflation 2026: Interactive Chart & Historical Data

CPI Inflation in South Korea stood at 2.1% YoY in 2025, according to IMF. The latest value is down 0.2 percentage points from 2.3% YoY in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 0.7% YoY (up 1.4 percentage points since). The highest value since 1980 was 28.7% YoY in 1980, the lowest 0.4% YoY in 2019. South Korea ranked 36th highest of the 52 countries in this dataset in 2025; Argentina ranked first.

Data source: IMF · Unit: % YoY · Category: Macroeconomics · Explore more indicators on EconDash

Data updated:Last checked:Frequency:AnnualCoverage:1980–2031
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What is CPI Inflation?

CPI Inflation, measured in % YoY, tracks changes in the price level of goods and services in South Korea. It serves as a primary gauge of purchasing power and cost of living, directly affecting consumer budgets, wage negotiations, and central bank interest rate decisions. Economists distinguish between "headline" inflation (all items) and "core" inflation (excluding volatile food and energy prices) to better understand underlying price trends. In South Korea, this metric is calculated by statistical agencies through regular surveys of thousands of retail prices across urban and rural areas. The resulting index allows comparisons over time: a value of 120 compared to a base of 100 means prices have risen 20% since the base period. Policymakers typically target a modest positive inflation rate (often around 2%) rather than zero, believing this encourages spending and investment while providing a buffer against deflation.

Key facts

What is the latest CPI Inflation in South Korea?

CPI Inflation in South Korea stood at 2.1% YoY in 2025, according to IMF.

Is CPI Inflation in South Korea rising or falling?

The latest value is down 0.2 percentage points from 2.3% YoY in 2024. Ten years earlier, in 2015, the value was 0.7% YoY (up 1.4 percentage points since).

How does South Korea rank for CPI Inflation?

South Korea ranked 36th highest of the 52 countries in this dataset in 2025; Argentina ranked first.

What is the highest CPI Inflation on record in South Korea?

The highest value since 1980 was 28.7% YoY in 1980, the lowest 0.4% YoY in 2019.

Metadata for CPI Inflation in South Korea
IndicatorCPI Inflation
CountrySouth Korea
CategoryMacroeconomics
Unit% YoY
SourceIMF
Interactive chartView on EconDash
API accessEconDash API documentation

Current rate: 2.1% YoY (2025)

IMF projection for 2026: 2.7% YoY

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Source:International Monetary Fund via IMF — series PCPIPCH
License:IMF Copyright and Usage
Cite this chart
APA

International Monetary Fund. (2026). CPI Inflation — South Korea [Data set]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/cpi-inflation/KOR. Original source: https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/PCPIPCH@WEO/WEOWORLD

MLA

International Monetary Fund. "CPI Inflation — South Korea." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/cpi-inflation/KOR. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/PCPIPCH@WEO/WEOWORLD.

Chicago

International Monetary Fund. 2026. "CPI Inflation — South Korea." EconDash. Accessed November 13, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/cpi-inflation/KOR. Original source: https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/PCPIPCH@WEO/WEOWORLD.

BibTeX
@misc{econdash_cpi_inflation_kor,
  author = {{International Monetary Fund}},
  title = {{CPI Inflation --- South Korea}},
  howpublished = {EconDash},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://econdash.org/chart/cpi-inflation/KOR},
  note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/PCPIPCH@WEO/WEOWORLD}
}