August Consumer Sentiment Index Stands at 104.5; Current Economic Conditions Dip 5 Points
According to the 'Results of the August 2026 Consumer Trend Survey' released by the Bank of Korea on the 25th, the Consumer Sentiment Index (CCSI) for this month stood at 104.5, falling 2.3 points from the previous month and marking the first decline in four months. Park Yong-min, head of the Economic Psychology Survey Team, analyzed that while the real economy is sound with exports and investment performing well, the adjustment in the domestic stock market had a short-term impact on consumer sentiment.
The Consumer Survey Index (CSI) for current economic conditions was calculated at 79, a 5-point drop from the previous month, while the future economic outlook CSI also stood at 89, down 3 points from the previous month. The CSI for current living standards was 92, living standards outlook was 97, household income outlook was 100, and consumer spending outlook was 109, all falling 1 point each from the previous month.
The CSI for current household savings stood at 94, down 3 points from the previous month. The CSI for interest rate outlook stood at 125, down 1 point from the previous month. The CSI for job opportunity outlook stood at 86, down 3 points from the previous month. Park Yong-min, head of the Economic Psychology Survey Team at the BOK's Economic Statistics Department, stated, "While outlooks for job opportunities declined across all age groups, the drop was slightly more pronounced among those under 40."
The CSI for housing price outlook stood at 125, falling 2 points from the previous month and halting the upward trend.
The CSI for price level outlook remained unchanged from the previous month at 149. The expected inflation rate for the next year remained unchanged at 2.7%. Petroleum products (50.2%), agricultural, livestock, and fisheries products (42.0%), and public charges (33.3%) were cited as factors contributing to rising inflation expectations.
This survey was conducted on 2,500 households in cities nationwide from the 7th to the 14th, of which 2,244 households responded.
