Bank of Korea Consumer Sentiment Rises to 106.6 in September as Views on the Economy Improve
South Korea’s composite consumer sentiment index stood at 106.6 in September, 2.1 points higher than in August, the Bank of Korea reported on 23 September. The gain reverses August’s fall and returns the index to its June level, with the largest single move coming from how households judge current economic conditions.
Views on the economy did the work
Sentiment on current domestic economic conditions rose 4 points to 83 and the forward reading rose 1 point to 90. Expectations for household income rose 2 points to 102 and for spending 1 point to 110, while the assessment of current living standards was unchanged at 92. Expectations for interest rates rose 3 points to 128 and for prices 1 point to 150.
| Component | August | September | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite index | 104.5 | 106.6 | +2.1 |
| Current economic conditions | 79 | 83 | +4 |
| Prospective economic conditions | 89 | 90 | +1 |
| Prospective household income | 100 | 102 | +2 |
| Prospective employment | 86 | 88 | +2 |
| Prospective interest rates | 125 | 128 | +3 |
Bank of Korea, Consumer Tendency Survey for September 2026, published 23 September 2026.
Inflation expectations did not move
Households expect inflation of 2.7 percent over the coming year, unchanged from August, with the three year and five year expectations both at 2.6 percent, also unchanged. Perceived inflation was steady at 3.0 percent. The survey covered 2,500 households between 9 and 16 September, of which 2,226 responded.
Why it matters: the survey is a monthly read on Korean household attitudes and it feeds the central bank’s view of demand and of how firmly inflation expectations are anchored. Expectations sitting at 2.7 percent for the year ahead, with the medium term readings at 2.6 percent, leave the inflation expectation readings unchanged while the confidence readings move.
Outlook: the index has now spent 2026 in a range between 99.2 in April and 112.1 in February, so September’s reading restores the middle of that range rather than breaking out of it. The October survey is the next test of whether the improvement in views on the economy carries into spending intentions.
Sources: Bank of Korea.
