South Korea’s service sector returned to growth in August 2026, with output rising 0.5% month-over-month, according to data updated on 29 September 2026. The increase marks a sharp turnaround from July 2026, when service sector output had contracted by 1.4% on a month-on-month basis.
The latest reading indicates that the sector has regained some momentum after the previous month’s decline. On a comparative basis, the “actual” figure for August reflects the change from July to August, while the “previous” figure for July captures the change from June to July. The move from a -1.4% drop in July to a 0.5% gain in August suggests a stabilization in activity, offering a cautiously positive signal for South Korea’s broader economic outlook.
