South Korea’s consumer price inflation cooled to 2.0% year-over-year in January 2026, down from 2.3% in December 2025, according to data updated on 2 February 2026. The figures are based on year-over-year comparisons, with January’s reading measured against price levels in January a year earlier, and December’s against the same month of the prior year.
The moderation in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) brings inflation right to the commonly cited 2% benchmark, suggesting that price pressures in Asia’s fourth-largest economy continue to ease at the start of 2026. Investors and policymakers will be watching upcoming releases closely to assess whether this trend persists and what it may imply for the future trajectory of interest rates and broader economic conditions in South Korea.
