South Korea’s export growth decelerated in July 2026, with the year-over-year indicator registering 63.0%, down from the previous reading of 70.7%. The latest figure reflects the change in exports for July compared with the same month a year earlier, while the earlier 70.7% reading captures the August 2026 performance versus August of the prior year.
The moderation suggests that, although South Korean exports remain robust on a year-over-year basis, the pace of expansion has eased heading into mid‑2026. The updated data, released on 18 August 2026, will be closely watched by investors and policymakers for signs of whether the slowdown in export momentum is temporary or the start of a broader cooling in external demand.
Both the current and previous indicators are calculated on a year-over-year comparison, meaning the “actual” July figure is measured against July a year ago, and the “previous” August figure is measured against August a year earlier. This framework highlights a shift from exceptionally strong export growth to a still-elevated but softer expansion rate.
