30.12.202523:14:51UTC+00South Korea Inflation Rate Hits 3-Month Low, Matches Consensus

South Korea's yearly inflation rate slightly decreased to 2.3% in December 2025, down from 2.4% in the prior two months, marking its lowest level since September and aligning with market expectations. Despite this decrease, the rate remained above the central bank's 2% target for the fourth consecutive month. There was a slowdown in price growth for food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.6% compared to 4.7% in November), furnishings, household equipment, and routine maintenance (2.7% compared to 2.8%), household goods (1.0% compared to 1.1%), health (1.0% compared to 1.1%), recreation and culture (1.2% compared to 1.4%), and education (1.6% compared to 1.7%). Simultaneously, the prices for alcohol and tobacco remained unchanged after a slight 0.1% increase previously. Meanwhile, inflation rates held steady for clothing (at 2.3%), transport (at 3.2%), and communication (at 0.4%). However, there were higher costs in housing (1.3% compared to 1.2%), restaurants and hotels (3.0% compared to 2.9%), and miscellaneous goods and services (4.9% compared to 4.2%). On a month-to-month basis, consumer prices rose by 0.3%, reversing a previous 0.2% decline in November.