Etelä-Korea - Inflaatio

Consumer prices in South Korea rose 0.2 percent year-on-year in November 2019, after being unchanged in the previous month but below market forecasts of a 0.5 percent gain. It was the first increase in consumer prices in four months mainly due to a higher cost of utilities.

Consumer prices in South Korea remained unchanged year-on-year in October 2019, following a 0.4 percent decline in the previous month and compared with market expectations of a 0.3 percent drop. Prices avoided a second month of deflation after booking in September the first fall since data releases began in 1965, as higher utility prices offset decreased prices of agricultural products.

Consumer prices in South Korea fell 0.4 year-on-year in September 2019, following a flat reading in the previous month and compared with market expectations of a 0.3 percent decline. That was the first deflation since data releases began in 1965, mainly due to a plunge in cost of farm products as improved weather boosted production.

Consumer prices in South Korea were unchanged year-on-year August 2019, easing from a 0.6 percent gain in the previous month and missing market expectations of a 0.3 percent rise. That was the lowest inflation rate since the country began releasing inflation data in 1965 due mainly to a plunge in fresh foods prices. The core CPI, which excludes oil and agricultural products, advanced 0.9 percent in August, below 1 percent in July. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 0.2 percent in August, reversing a 0.3 percent fall in July, but missing expectations of a 0.5 percent increase.

South Korea's annual inflation rate edged down to 0.6 percent in June 2019 from 0.7 percent in the previous month and compared to market expectations of a 0.85 percent increase. Slower inflation was mainly explained by a 1.6 percent decline in the fresh food index (vs 0.0 in May). In contrast, prices for utilities climbed 2.0 percent after a 1.3 percent climb. On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell 0.3 percent, after declining 0.2 percent in the previous month and compared to market forecasts of an unchanged reading.

South Korea's annual inflation rate was unchanged at 0.7 percent in June 2019, below market expectations of a 1.0 percent increase. Cost of food and non-alcoholic beverage rose the most in five months while transport prices fell further. On a monthly basis, consumer prices declined 0.2 percent, after increasing 0.2 percent in the previous month and compared to market forecasts of a 0.1 percent gain.