2023.12.2706:28:00UTC+00South Korea Consumer Confidence Improves To 99.5

South Korea's consumer sentiment strengthened in December, thanks to easing inflation, survey results from the Bank of Korea showed on Wednesday.

The consumer confidence index rose to 99.5 in December from November's 7-month low of 97.2.

The consumer confidence survey was conducted between December 11 and 18 among 2,500 households.

The sub-index for households' assessment of current living standards rose to 88 from 87, and the measure for prospective living standards climbed to 92 from 90.

Similarly, the index measuring consumers' prospective household income rose somewhat to 99 to 98. .

South Koreans were more pessimistic about their job prospects, and the relevant index rose to 81 from 77.

Their interest rate expectations decreased in December, with the measure falling to 107 from 119.

The expected inflation rate for the upcoming year was 3.2 percent, down from 3.4 percent in November.

Meanwhile, households' expectations for domestic economic conditions in the future improved from 72 to 77.