2026.04.0123:00:00UTC+00South Korea’s March CPI Edges Up to 2.2% YoY, Nudging Above Central Bank Target

South Korea’s consumer price growth picked up slightly in March 2026, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising 2.2% year-over-year, up from 2.0% in February. The latest data, updated on 1 April 2026, show inflation moving modestly higher but still broadly aligned with a low and stable price environment.

Both the current and previous readings are measured against the same month a year earlier, meaning February’s 2.0% reflected prices compared with February of the prior year, while March’s 2.2% compares to March a year ago. The mild acceleration suggests that price pressures have strengthened only slightly heading into spring, a development investors and policymakers will be watching for signs of whether inflation is stabilizing or gradually firming.