2025.12.0123:13:24UTC+00South Korea Inflation Rate Stays at 15-Month High

In November 2025, South Korea's annual inflation rate remained steady at 2.4%, matching the previous month's figure and marking the highest level since July 2024. This rate surpassed the central bank's 2% target for the third consecutive month. Price increases were observed across all sectors: food and non-alcoholic beverages jumped to 4.7% from 3.5% in October, while tobacco increased by 0.1% compared to 0.4%. Clothing saw a rise to 2.3% from 2.1%, furnishings, household equipment, and routine maintenance remained stable at 1.2%, and housing surged to 2.8% from 2.2%. Household goods slowed down to 1.1% from 2.2%, health rose slightly to 1.1% from 0.9%, and transport edged down to 3.2% from 3.4%. Communication remained consistent at 0.4%, while culture decreased to 1.4% from 2.1%. Education slightly decreased to 1.7% from 1.8%, and restaurants and hotels dropped to 2.9% from 3.2%. The miscellaneous goods and services category slightly declined to 4.2% from 4.3%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell by 0.2%, reversing a 0.3% increase in October and marking the first decrease since August.