South Korean consumer sentiment strengthened notably in March 2026, with the Thomson Reuters IPSOS Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI) rising to 49.99, up from 45.89 in February 2026. The latest reading, updated on 13 March 2026, reflects a solid month-over-month improvement in overall consumer confidence.
The month-over-month comparison framework indicates that the “Actual” figure captures the change in March versus February 2026, while the “Previous” figure represented February’s change relative to January. This latest move brings the index to the cusp of the 50-point threshold, often viewed as a dividing line between more pessimistic and more optimistic consumer sentiment, signaling that South Korean households may be feeling increasingly confident about economic conditions as spring begins.
