According to the Bank of Korea (BOK), inflation expectations among South Korean consumers have dropped to the lowest level in nearly a year. However, overall consumer confidence has risen to its highest level in 10 months.
The BOK’s survey revealed that the median consumer expected inflation over the next 12 months to be 3.7 percent in April, down from 3.9 percent in March, marking the lowest level since May 2022.
On the other hand, the Consumer Confidence Index increased to 95.1 in April, up from 92.0 in March, reaching the highest level since June 2022.
Among the sub-indices, the current living conditions index increased by 1.1 points, and the future living conditions index increased by 0.8 points.
This drop in inflation expectations comes as South Korea, like many other countries, is grappling with rising inflation concerns. The country has been implementing various measures to curb inflation, including interest rate hikes and tightening monetary policies.
The BOK closely monitors consumer expectations as they play a crucial role in shaping consumer spending behavior, which in turn impacts the overall economy. Lower inflation expectations could lead to decreased spending and investment, which may have implications for economic growth.
The BOK will continue to closely monitor inflation expectations and consumer confidence in the coming months as it navigates the challenges posed by rising inflation and seeks to maintain stable economic growth.