South Korea’s consumer confidence weakened in August, with the Thomson Reuters IPSOS Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI) edging down to 44.52 from 45.48 in July 2026. The latest reading, updated on 14 August 2026, points to a modest month-over-month deterioration in sentiment among Korean households.
The month-over-month comparison shows a reversal from July’s slightly stronger mood, as the index lost nearly one point heading into August. The “Actual” figure reflects the change from July to August 2026, while the “Previous” comparison captured the movement from June to July, highlighting that the latest month marks a fresh softening in consumer outlook.
While still below the 50-point threshold that is often viewed as a rough dividing line between generally pessimistic and optimistic sentiment, the August reading indicates that Korean consumers remain cautious. The downtick may signal increasing wariness over the near-term economic environment, with potential implications for household spending and domestic demand in the months ahead.
