Business · Economy · 3 hrs ago
South Korea's production, sales and investment rebound in September
South Korea's production, sales and investment all rose in September, reversing declines in the previous month.
The country's National Data Agency said industrial production climbed 3%, its biggest monthly increase since March 2011.
Semiconductor output rose 19.2%, while car production jumped 39.9% as strikes ended and summer factory holidays finished.
Retail sales increased 3.6%, the largest rise since February 2023, and facility investment grew 5.3%.
The figures marked the first time since June that production, consumption and investment had all increased in the same month.
The rebound was not broad across industries: only 30 of 72 manufacturing and mining sectors recorded higher output, and the production diffusion index fell below 50.
A separate measure of expected economic conditions also edged down, its first decline in 11 months, so the data showed a strong monthly bounce but not a clear-based recovery.
South Korea’s production, retail sales and facility investment all rose in September, rebounding from declines in August.
The seasonally adjusted all-industry production index increased 3.0% from the previous month to 122.7.
Retail sales rose 3.6%, the largest monthly increase since February 2023, while facility investment increased 5.3%.
Mining and manufacturing production rose 9.0%, led by increases in semiconductor and car production.
An industry measure showed the recovery was uneven, with production declines affecting more manufacturing sectors than increases.
- Who
- South Korea’s economy, as measured by the National Data Agency.
- What
- Production, retail sales and facility investment all increased in September.
- When
- September 2026; the National Data Agency released the figures on October 30.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Higher semiconductor and car production contributed to the rise in overall production. The sources attribute the car increase partly to the end of strikes and summer holidays.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
All-industry production fell 1.2% and retail sales fell 1.8% from the previous month.
Production, retail sales and facility investment all rose from August.
The National Data Agency released its September industrial activity figures.
- All-industry production
- Up 3.0% month on month to 122.7
- Retail sales
- Up 3.6% month on month
- Facility investment
- Up 5.3% month on month
- Mining and manufacturing production
- Up 9.0% month on month
- Semiconductor production
- Up 19.2% month on month
- Car production
- Up 39.9% month on month