Economic Bulletin | KDI 경제교육·정보센터

KDI 경제교육·정보센터

Economic Information and Education Center

발행물

Economic Trends

Current Economic Trends

In November 2025, industrial production, services production, facilities investment, and constructioninvestment increased, while retail sales declined. In December 2025, the increase in the number ofemployed persons moderated, and consumer price rose at a slower pace. In November, production in the industrial sector (up 0.6% m-o-m and down 1.4% y-o-y), constructionsector (up 6.6% m-o-m and down 17.0% y-o-y) and services sector (up 0.7% m-o-m and up 3.0% y-o-y)rose, leading to an increase in total industrial sector (up 0.9% m-o-m and up 0.3% y-o-y). In November, the cyclical indicator of the coincident composite index moved down by 0.4 points and thecyclical indicator of the leading composite index moved up by 0.3 points. In November, retail sales decreased (down 3.3% m-o-m and up 0.8% y-o-y), while facilities investment wentup (up 1.5% m-o-m and down 0.1% y-o-y). In December, the Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) went down by 2.5 points month-on-month to 109.9.The Composite Business Sentiment Index (CBSI) increased by 1.6 points to 93.7 in December, and theCBSI outlook for January 2026 fell by 1.7 points to 89.4. In December, exports climbed by 13.4 percent year-on-year, supported by strong semiconductorperformance. Average daily exports rose by 8.7 percent compared to the same month of previous year. In December, the number of employed persons grew by 168,000 jobs compared to the same month lastyear and the unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percent points to 4.1 percent. In December, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) climbed by 2.3 percent year-on-year, driven by agriculturalproducts and petroleum prices. The index when excluding food and energy prices grew by 2.0 percentfrom a year ago. In December, housing prices (up 0.26% m-o-m) and Jeonse (lump-sum deposits with no monthlypayments) prices rose (0.28% m-o-m). In December, Korean equity prices went up, yields for Korean Treasury Bond rose, and the Korean Wonstrengthened against the dollar. Recently, the Korean economy has continued to show a recovery trend, supported by improvementsin domestic demand such as consumption and strong export performance led by semiconductors. However, amid heightened month-to-month volatility as indicators that recorded sharp increases in thethird quarter have undergone some adjustment due to base effects and extended holidays hiringdifficulties in vulnerable sectors persist, and uncertainties remain regarding the pace of recovery inconstruction investment and the impact of U.S. tariff measures. The global economy continues to face volatility in the global financial markets and concerns over slowingtrade and growth, due in part to a deteriorating trade environment following tariff measures by majoreconomies and geopolitical uncertainties. With an aim to broaden growth momentum going forward, the government plans to continue to pursueproactive macroeconomic policies and efforts to revitalize consumption, investment, and exports, whileexpeditiously implementing the 2026 Economic Growth Strategy to boost the potential growth, promotingbalanced and inclusive growth, overcoming polarization, and strengthening the foundation for a majoreconomic leap forward. * For further details, please refer to the attached file.

Feb 2026